The Tamil-language legal drama Jai Bhim and Dharma Productions’ biographical drama Shershaah have topped the list of Indian films and web series of 2021 announced by IMDb. IMDb, the world's most popular source for information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities, on Thursday unveiled the top ten movies and TV shows in India that were most popular with IMDb users this year.
The data is derived from the IMDbPro movie and TV rankings, which are based on the actual page views of IMDb users and updated weekly throughout the year. The list includes movies that were released theatrically or digitally in India between January 1 and November 29, 2021, and have an average IMDb user rating of 6.5 or higher.
Suriya’s Jai Bhim, written and directed by TJ Gnanavel, is based on true events and revolves around the unfair treatment and discrimination of people from the rural tribe. The movie which premiered on Amazon Prime Video last month garnered positive response from the audience and critics.
The film which ranked second on the IMDb list is the Bollywood movie Shershaah, based on the life of Kargil hero Captain Vikram Batra, played by Sidharth Malhotra. Directed by Vishnu Vardhan, the movie also starred Kiara Advani and was a massive hit after it was released in August on streaming service Prime Video.
Akshay Kumar's much-awaited cop drama Sooryavanshi took the third spot on the list. The film, also starring Katrina Kaif with extended cameos by Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh, is directed by Rohit Shetty. Sooryavanshi is the first major Bollywood film to have released in theatres after being delayed for several months owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was followed by Master, starring Vijay Thalapathy and Vijay Sethupathi. The Tamil movie was a huge blockbuster upon its release in cinema halls in January. Shoojit Sircar-helmed Sardar Udham, a biopic on the lesser-known story of freedom fighter Sardar Udham Singh starring Vicky Kaushal in the lead, and Kriti Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi's drama Mimi were placed fifth and sixth, respectively.
The seventh spot went to South star Dhanush's critically-acclaimed Tamil action-drama Karnan, which released theatrically in April, while Hindi romantic drama Shiddat, starring Sunny Kaushal and Radhika Madan, was placed at eighth.
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.