Films are in the DNA of the country and we must "respect Indian films", said noted lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on Friday as he responded to a question about the social media trend of #BoycottBollywood at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) here.
Akhtar termed Indian cinema "one of the strongest goodwill ambassadors in the world" at a press conference on the sidelines of the five-day literature gala.
"We love movies, whether they are from the south, north, or east. We have strong affection towards films, it is in our DNA. Stories are in our DNA. We have had songs in our films, it's nothing new. It was not invented by the Hindi film industry.
"So basically we should respect Indian films, an average Indian film is released across more than 135 nations. Indian cinema is one of the strongest goodwill ambassadors in the world," Akhtar told reporters.
The 78-year-old industry veteran's comments come days after he said filmmakers need to have "trust" in the CBFC amid reports that the film certification body had asked the makers of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Pathaan" to make changes to the upcoming film.
The film's song "Besharam Rang" had landed in trouble with right-wing groups who had objected to Deepika Padukone's saffron bikini.
The lyricist said people around the world know Indian stars, sometimes more than Hollywood stars.
"If you go to Germany and tell someone that you are an Indian, their first question would be: Do you know Shah Rukh Khan? Our people and our films are spreading so much goodwill for India in the world," he said.
JLF will come to a close on January 23.
(PTI)
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.