Actor Vicky Kaushal on Sunday said his upcoming feature "Govinda Naam Mera" is a tribute to the 1990s pulpy Bollywood masala films like the Akshay Kumar-led "Khiladi" series.
Written and directed by Shashank Khaitan, the comedy crime thriller tells the tale of an underdog and his family's madness. It also features Kiara Advani and Bhumi Pednekar.
Kaushal said he was introduced to international films late in his life and it was Bollywood entertainers like the "Khiladi" franchise and "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" that encouraged him to pursue a career in cinema.
"I have grown up watching films of Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Govinda. I started going to theatres also a bit late. I would often watch films on TV, like Akshay's 'Khiladi' movies. I have been a fan of these films. So, the first seed of becoming an actor was sown by these films.
"'Govinda Naam Mera ' is another fragment of the same fabric. It is an ode to those pulpy films in which there was murder, comedy, suspense, thrill, love, etc. I am grateful to Shashank who came up with the film for keeping it contemporary and also giving an ode to that pulpy Bollywood masala," Kaushal told reporters here at the trailer launch of the film.
The actor said he had a lot of fun working on "Govinda Naam Mera", backed by Dharma Productions.
"This is the film I was shooting after 'Sardar Udham'. So I was very happy. I felt every day was like a party. I would come shoot, have fun. There was no serious scene, there was no crying," he added.
The film features Kiara Advani as Kaushal's girlfriend, Suku, and Bhumi Pednekar as his wife Gauri.
Kaushal, who has worked with both Advani and Pednekar before on "Lust Stories" and "Bhoot – Part One: The Haunted Ship", said he had a great time reuniting with them.
Other cast members Sayaji Shinde and Dayanand Shetty among others, were fantastic, he added.
Kaushal said his actor-wife Katrina Kaif has only seen the poster of the film.
"She is looking forward to this film because she knows how hard the process was for me. I would share with her what all we would shoot," he added.
"Govinda Naam Mera" is set to be released on Disney+ Hotstar on December 16.
(PTI)
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.