BOLLYWOOD star John Abraham has described his upcoming film Vedaa, which reunites him with director Nikhil Advani after their collaborations on Batla House and Satyamev Jayate, as much more than just another action film.
"It's a deeply emotional film," Abraham said during a press event on Thursday (1). "When you watch it, you'll understand what I mean. It's a beautifully emotional story, and there are moments in the edit that genuinely move me to tears. It's that powerful."
Helmed by Nikhil Advani, the film is inspired from real life and revolves around caste discrimination. The titular role is played by Sharvari while Abraham is in the role of her mentor, former Major Abhimanyu Kanwar.
Advani said it is unfortunate that the topic he raised in the film is still prevalent in today’s time.
“It's (the film) heavily fictionalised, but unfortunately, the germs in the seeds of what the story is and what Vedaa actually goes through is very prevalent, even in the country right now,” he said.
Advani said he was surprised that the film was stuck with the censor board when he had a good experience with them during the certification of his previous productions.
"We were actually really surprised that nobody was having a conversation. But eventually, I just have to say that I was floored by the way they approached it when they finally saw it and understood the context in which the film had been made.
"The revising committee really helped us. We already have the censor certificate," he said addressing the delay in getting the film certified.
Sharvari, who is riding high with the box office success of Munjya, will be seen in an action avatar in the movie. The actor said the role demanded a lot from her.
“Vedaa is the story of a very brave girl who gets a very brave coach. It's their journey to justice. Of course, the character demanded a lot from me. The story is set in Rajasthan so you have to adapt to the language.
"It's an emotional and brave story apart from the fact that there is a backstory that I have to build. It is not just about language, boxing or anything else. In a film the character journey usually starts from the middle. For example in Vedaa my character journey starts around 16-17 age but what happened and how her life was before that age was my prep,” she said.
Vedaa is clashing with Shradha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao Stree 2 and Akshay Kumar’s multi-starer Khel Khel Mein. Producer Monisha Bhojwani said, “The phase our industry is going through. It's important that we support all films.”
The film also features Abhishek Banerjee in a pivotal role, along with Tamannaah Bhatia in a special appearance.
Written by Aseem Arrora, Vedaa is produced by Zee Studios, Umesh Kr Bansal, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, John Abraham, and co-produced by Minnakshi Das. Presented by Zee Studios, Emmay Entertainment, and JA Entertainment, an Emmay Entertainment production, Vedaa is slated to release in theatres on August 15. (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.