Bengali filmmaker Sudipto Sen has finally opened up on 'The Kashmir Files' row at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
In a conversation with ANI, the 'Lucknow Times' filmmaker, who was a part of the jury board at the IFFI, said he found it 'unethical' on the part of fellow juror and Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid to make statements against a film, which 'wasn't even awarded' at the ceremony.
"As a practice, etiquette and ethic, the jury board is supposed to talk about films that are awarded. We don't talk about films that are not awarded. The jury board has nothing to do with someone bringing out a rejected film for discussion in a public forum," the 'Aasma' filmmaker said.
"If one of us (members) randomly goes to talk about a film which wasn't even awarded at some platform, I would find it unethical," he added.
Explaining the process of decision-making behind the films shortlisted for the award at the film festival, Sen said, "We received 22 films, from which we were supposed to give out 6 awards - Best film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Female Actor, Special Jury Award for aesthetics and artistic values and Best Debut Director Award. We saw each of the 22 films, and collectively analyzed each of them based on criteria like camera work, editing, sound, storytelling, acting etc. We shortlisted 5 films to be awarded".
"The judgement was collectively agreed upon by all jury members on the basis of the artistic values and format of the film festival" he added.
Sen mentioned that the Vivek Agnihotri film was one of the 17 films which were "rejected" from being awarded at the film festival.
"The film did not fit in the artistic criteria we had," Sen said.
Reminiscing on his past experiences with the film festival, the 'Corentin's Quest' filmmaker told ANI, "The festival was so nicely arranged this year. I have attended IFFI for the past 25 years and there is always some problem with the arrangement. This time the festival was in the true sense of the word an 'international festival'".
"That single incident at the closing ceremony ruined the entire mood of the festival," Sen added, referring to the moment Lapid took to the stage to criticize the Anupam Kher-starrer.
(ANI)
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.