THE UK premiere of a play based on a series of letters describing the real-life experiences of an Indian husband and his Pakistani wife are among the highlights of a first-of-its-kind virtual Urdu festival being hosted in Britain.
Mian Biwi Aur Wagah will be showcased next week at Jashn-e-Rekhta (JeR) UK, the world’s largest Urdu language literary event -- usually held annually in Delhi since 2016 -- that has taken on a digital avatar in the UK.
“It is indeed a great honour that an institution like Rekhta recognised our efforts for the love of Urdu,” said Amna Khaishgi, team leader of Goonj, the theatre group behind the play co-written by Dubai-based Ehtesham Shahid, who also portrays the main lead of Mian.
Reflecting on the irony of a play on letter-writing having to make use of a digital platform, Shahid said: “It’s a sign of things to come, but the human need to express oneself cannot be fulfilled through just one medium, and letters can still create magic if one is willing to pick up pen and paper.
“It’s a matter of time before we will re-discover the joy of something as intimate as writing letters.”
All the performers of the play, referred to as MBW for short, have written their own scripts and verses.
“Team MBW reflects the vision of Rekhta where language, art, and literature transcend borders. The simplicity of letters in the play form layers that resonate with the audience,” said Sanjiv Saraf, the founder of Rekhta Foundation.
Jashn-e-Rekhta UK, organised by the Rekhta Foundation UK on September 5 and 6, is pitching itself as a unique “immersive experience” that will bring together exclusive sessions and digital archive of art forms, including poetry (mushaira), literature, storytelling (dastangoi), ghazals, Sufi music, qawwali, dance and drama.
“Urdu’s uniqueness lies in the way it brings together Arabic, Farsi and other Indian dialects,” said Saraf. “As one of the most elegant languages, Urdu is able to express love in all its manifestations, divine and earthly, using the most beautiful symbolism.
“No matter who speaks it, magic is always felt. JeR UK gives us the opportunity to experience this magic through musical performances, discourses, dance and theatre.”
Among the other highlights include 'Cinema – Kal aur Aaj', a session in which famed poets and lyricists Javed Akhtar and Manoj Muntashir will discuss films, lyrics and Urdu poetry.
India-based filmmaker Tanuja Chandra, UK-based writer-filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir and Pakistani actor Sania Saeed will discuss the contribution of Urdu to the world of cinema and television in the 'Cinema aur TV ki zubaan' session. Lyricist Gulzar will talk about his love for Urdu in 'Ye Kaisa Ishq Hai Urdu Zabaan Ka'.
Tanuja Chandra said: “While on the one hand, gatherings of large crowds, especially those belonging to our subcontinental diaspora are heady and fun, what''s been great about virtual events this year, is that people from all over the world have watched and participated in them.”
Rekhta Foundation UK, as a registered UK charity, has been set up to preserve and promote the languages, literature and culture of South Asia, with a particular focus on Urdu.
“Rekhta.org, the world’s largest repository of Urdu literature, is followed by nearly 226,000 people in the UK, including 211,000 in England and 84,000 followers in the city of London alone,” it said.
Alongside the specially curated sessions for the UK, the festival next week will also offer a chance for audiences to explore some of the most popular events from JeR India’s archives of past events.
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.