Well-known filmmaker George Miller has roped in 11-year-old Quaden Bayles, who captured the world’s attention after he was mercilessly bullied because of his short height, in his much-awaited film Furiosa, the prequel to Mad Max.
Bayles, who was born with achondroplasia, which is the most common form of dwarfism, went viral in 2020 after his mother live-streamed a video on Facebook following the latest cruel bullying incident. The mother-son duo was seen crying throughout the emotional video as the young boy asked for a knife to kill himself.
The video caught the attention of celebrities, including Hugh Jackman James Woods, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and the pro basketball player Enes Kanter, who sent video tweets of support to raise awareness about bullying.
Posting a video message on Twitter, Jackman said, “No matter what, you've got a friend in me.” "Quaden, you are stronger than you know, mate," Jackman said. "Everyone, let's just please be kind to each other. Bullying is not OK, period.”
Bayles also received an invitation from Miller to appear in Three Thousand Years of Longing, a drama starring Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton which premieres this Friday.
In an interview, the director revealed that he was moved to put Bayles on the big screen after watching the distressing video his mother shared of him in February 2020. He added that he was so good on camera that they’ll work together again.
“It was good for us and it was good for him," Miller told the Sydney Morning Herald. “And he did such a good job that he has got a small role in Furiosa.”
Bayles will feature alongside Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy among others in the much-awaited action extravaganza. The film is touted to be Australia's biggest production ever. Mad Max: Furiosa is expected to hit theatres on 24 May 2024.
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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.