Sumo Didi, a film billed as an ode to India's first female sumo wrestler Hetal Dave, will have its world premiere at the ongoing Tokyo International Film Festival.
Featuring Shriyam Bhagnani in the title role, the movie will be screened under the Asian Future segment on October 27 at the gala, according to the festival's official website.
Sumo Didi is directed by Jayant Rohatgi and presented by Jio Studios. Chaitnya Sharma and the late Nitesh Pandey also round out the cast of the movie.
"Tokyo Welcomes Sumo Didi! An ode to India's first Female Sumo wrestler, the film will have its World Premiere at #TokyoInternationalFilmFestival.
"A tale of empowerment & resilience, Sumo Didi starring Shriyam Bhagnani has also been selected in the competition category under the Asian Future section," Jio Studios posted on X on Wednesday.
Sumo Didi follows Hetal (Bhagnani), a talented wrestler, who discovers sumo by chance, but her road to improvement is very steep. Unwilling to give up her dream, she goes to Japan and endures rigorous training, as per the official plotline on the festival's website.
The film is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Akash Chawla, Arunava Joy Sengupta, and Amit Chandrra.
Chawla and Sengupta are also credited for the story, while the screenplay and dialogue are from Nikhil Sachan. It is co-presented by The Japan Foundation.
The movie is a Freshlime Films and Math Entertainment Network Pvt Ltd production.
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.