Actor Johnny Deppshared his experience of being part of Jeanne du Barry and said he felt "strangely, oddly, perversely lucky" to have been offered the role of French King Louis XV at the U.K. premiere of his film, reported Variety.
Jeanne du Barry is a historical drama film written, directed, and produced by Maiwenn and starring herself and Johnny Depp in the leading roles.
It also stars Pierre Richard, Benjamin Lavernhe, Noemie Lvovsky, Pascal Greggory, Melvil Poupaud, and India Hair.
Depp along with the film's co-star and director Maiwenn on stage at the Curzon theatre in Mayfair, briefly introduced the film.
"I feel very lucky to have been [offered the role] - strangely, oddly, perversely lucky," he said on stage in London during a rare public appearance. "Because when Maiwenn and I first actually met and talked about the notion of me doing the film and playing Louis XV, the King of France -- see that's when instantly what happens in your brain is you instantly go back to Kentucky, where, like, everything is fried. So you realise that you've come from the bellybutton of nowhere and suddenly you end up playing the King of France."
"It made no sense to me, I tried to talk her out of it," he continued. "But she wasn't hearing it and she had great courage to take me into her cast. Whatever we did, whatever we experienced I think and I hope you'll find it was well worth the agony of this kid trying to make a film for that length of time."
Maiwenn also made a brief speech in which she explained she had wanted to make Jeanne du Barry since 2016, explaining she was "obsessed by Jeanne for many years because she was a feminist before everybody else."
The film, one of Depp's first after his protracted legal fight with ex-wife Amber Heard, premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival, when the actor and director received a seven-minute standing ovation, reported Variety.
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.