Helmed by Nipun Dharmadhikari, Ishq Vishk Reboundis a refreshing dive into the lives of four Gen Z friends navigating the complexities of friendship, love, and self-discovery. It is a spiritual sequel to the Shahid Kapoor-starrer 2003 film, Ishq Vishk.
Starring Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan, and Naila Grrewal, the film offers a modern twist on relationships and emotions that will surely resonate with youth.
Set in Dehradun, Ishq Vishk Rebound revolves around three childhood friends Raghav (Rohit Saraf), Sanya (Pashmina Roshan), and Sahir (Jibraan Khan). As they grow up, Sahir and Sanya start dating. Raghav also falls in love with a girl named Riya (Naila Grrewal). When Sanya and Sahir break up, Raghav tries his best to patch them up but ends up breaking up with Riya in the process. To make Sanya feel better, he starts spending time with her and eventually both fall in love. What happens next forms the crux of the story.
Rohit Saraf, as Raghav, proves to be the backbone of the film. His charm and effortless acting make every scene he is in delightful to watch. Saraf's portrayal is consistent, carrying the narrative with a balance of humour and depth.
Jibraan Khan, making his transition from a child artist to a lead actor, impresses as Sahir. His performance hints at his potential, though it's evident that more screen time would have allowed him to showcase his skills better. Similarly, Naila Grrewal as Riya delivers a commendable performance, but her limited presence on screen leaves the audience wanting more.
Pashmina Roshan, in her debut role as Sanya, delivers a mixed performance. As the cousin of superstar Hrithik Roshan, expectations were high. She shines in certain scenes, displaying a natural flair for acting, but struggles in others, indicating room for growth. Her character is pivotal to the story, and while she has the screen time to make a mark, her performance oscillates between being compelling and underwhelming.
The first half of Ishq Vishk Rebound sets a promising pace, drawing the audience into the world of these four friends with a blend of humour, romance, and relatable dilemmas. However, the second half loses some of this momentum, dragging in parts and affecting the overall narrative flow.
The music, while good, doesn't quite match up to the iconic soundtrack of its predecessor, Ishq Vishk. The songs are pleasant and fit well within the story, though.
Ishq Vishk Rebound is an enjoyable watch, particularly for its target Gen Z audience. The film thrives on Rohit Saraf's strong performance and offers glimpses of potential from Jibraan Khan and Naila Grrewal. Pashmina Roshan's debut is noteworthy but leaves room for improvement. Despite its flaws, the movie successfully captures the essence of modern friendships and romantic entanglements, making it a relatable and entertaining experience.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.