Over 600 film personalities, including filmmaker Mira Nair, Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo, and Oscar winners Mark Rylance and Kate Winslet, have signed a petition calling for the release of Iranian actor Taraneh Alidoosti.
Ruffalo shared the news in a post on Instagram on Monday and posted an image that included the names of 45 artists who are credited as signatories of the change.org petition, which has so far received close to 20,000 signatures.
"Over 600 artists worldwide have signed an open letter calling for the release of award-winning actor and writer Taraneh Alidoosti. We demand her freedom. Join us. Link in bio. #FreeTaranehAlidoosti #FreeThemAll," he wrote.
Alidoosti, the star of Asghar Farhadi's Oscar-winning movie "The Salesman", was taken into custody on December 17 after she made a post on Instagram expressing solidarity with Mohsen Shekari, the first man recently executed for crimes allegedly committed during the widespread protests in Iran that began after Mahsa Amini's death in September.
The 38-year-old actor was arrested by local authorities on charges of spreading falsehoods about the ongoing demonstrations in Iran.
Other names who have signed the petition include Alfonso Cuaron, Jason Momoa, Penelope Cruz, Emma Thompson, John Oliver, Pedro Almodovar, Isabelle Huppert, Cilian Murphy, Vincent Cassell, Olivia Colman, Marian Cotillard, Ian McKellan, Jessica Chastain, Nazanin Boniadi and Golshifteh Faharani, among others.
Acclaimed actor Alidoosti was arrested because she did not provide "any documents in line with her claims", a report published on Iran media's official Telegram channel stated. Her Instagram and Twitter accounts, which she used to openly express solidarity with protesters, has been suspended.
Previously, the organisers of film festivals from Cannes, Toronto, and Berlin had condemned the actor's arrest.
Iran has been rocked by protests since Mahsa Amini's death in September. Amini, 22, was detained by Iran's morality police, who said she didn't properly cover her hair with the mandatory Islamic headscarf hijab.
She collapsed at a police station and died three days later, setting off protests in cities across the country with the authorities responding with a fierce crackdown.
(PTI)
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.