Director Shoojit Sircar is gearing up for the release of his movie Sardar Udham. The movie will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 16th October 2021.
Vicky Kaushal plays the titular role in the film, but when Eastern Eye recently interacted with Sircar, the filmmaker revealed that Irrfan Khan was the first choice for the movie.
He said, “The first choice was Irrfan Khan, and not now, but at some point, I will share the look of Irrfan also, what I was preparing with him. But, we all know what happened, and then it was Vicky Kaushal. He did as brilliantly as I expected. Also, he has physically changed and has adapted both the ages, 20 and 40. So, I am quite satisfied with what he has done.”
Apart from Kaushal, the movie also stars Banita Sandhu and Amol Parashar. The latter plays the role of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in the film and his first look was unveiled a few days ago.
However, the audience doesn’t have any idea about the role that Sandhu plays. When we asked Sircar about Sandhu’s character in the movie, he said, “Amol of course you saw plays another iconic character, Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Banita is also one of the characters and we have not revealed much about it. We just want everyone to see her in the film. We just concentrated at Sardar Udham at this moment, and soon you will see another trailer with Banita Sandhu in it.”
A few filmmakers have earlier stated that if they knew their movie will get a direct-to-digital release, they would have directed it in a different way.
So, when we asked Sircar if he would have directed Sardar Udham in a different way if he knew it would get a direct-to-digital release, he said, “No, not at all. I don’t think the platform affects filmmaking at all. So, you make a film, the way it should be. There’s no cinema if you compromise the craft according to where it is going to be exhibited. Cinema is a cinema; a piece of art is a piece of art.”
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.