Leading streaming platform Netflix on Thursday unveiled its upcoming slate for India that features over 22 projects, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut streaming show Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila, and Oscar-nominated documentary To Kill A Tiger.
The slate, which was announced in Mumbai at a star-studded event called 'Next on Netflix', features a mix of movies, web series, unscripted shows, and documentaries.
Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content at Netflix India, said the streamer is looking forward to another great year after a successful 2023.
''We swept a multitude of awards, including the Oscar, the International Emmy, Busan award for 'Scoop'. On the back of a successful 2023, this year is going to be bigger and bolder. That's how we planned it.
''When you have to programme for that large an audience, it's important to programme to a wide taste... Our ambition is to super-serve the audiences and to give them all kinds of entertainment," Shergill said.
The event was attended by AR Rahman, Diljit Dosanjh, Farhan Akhtar, Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Taapsee Pannu, Kriti Sanon, Vijay Varma, Anubhav Sinha, Aanand L Rai, Imtiaz Ali, Guneet Monga, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Kapil Sharma, and Sunil Grover, among others.
It all started with the introduction of the characters in Bhansali's Heeramandi, featuring Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sanjeeda Shaikh.
Koirala, who is reuniting with Bhansali after his 1996 feature debut Khamoshi: The Musical, said the team tried to put its best foot forward as they were working with the master filmmaker.
''To be working with Sanjay 25 years after his first film, Khamoshi, it can't get better than 'Heeramandi'. It's been a humongous journey, I've seen him grow as an artist, as a maestro, as a genius, he is India's best,'' the actress said at the event.
The streamer is bringing the true story of the December 24, 1999 hijack of the Indian Airlines flight to screen in the form of a series titled IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The first glimpse of the show, directed and created by Anubhav Sinha, was revealed on Thursday.
Anubhav Sinha, known for films such as Mulk, Article 15, and Bheed, said it was a responsibility to be as authentic as possible while working on the series.
''Almost everyone remembers a few things about the hijack, and what all happened during the process, but when I started doing research, I realised it is a very complex story and a lot of things happened in those seven days, and not many people know about it.
''We have put it all in the show… We had to make it factually correct and yet dramatic and engaging,'' he said at the event.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack stars Vijay Varma, Patralekha, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Amrita Puri, and Anupam Tripathi.
Netflix also unveiled the first looks of Amar Singh Chamkila, Kajol and Kriti Sanon-starrer Do Patti, Farhan Akhtar-produced Dabba Cartel, Luv Ranjan's upcoming film Wild Wild Punjab, a documentary on rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh backed by Monga, comedian Sharma's show The Great Indian Kapil Show, and a docuseries on the cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan called The Greatest Rivalry – India vs Pakistan.
The event also saw film announcements, including Neeraj Pandey's Sikandar Ka Muqaddar and Murder Mubarak, featuring Sara Ali Khan and Varma.
The streamer also shared a sneak peek into the next installment of the Taapsee Pannu-starrer movie Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba.
Netflix's returning series titles, such as the third seasons of Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives, Jeetendra Kumar-fronted Kota Factory, Mismatched starring Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli, and the second season of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, created by Pandey, and Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein, were also officially featured in the showcase.
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.