Kangana Ranaut’s ambitious film Tejas, which released in theatres on October 27, has found a whole new audience on ZEE5 Global. The action-packed thriller featuring the National Film Award-winning actress in the role of an Indian Air Force pilot landed on the streaming platform on January 5 and has been garnering strong viewership ever since.
Sharing what attracted her to be a part of the film, Ranaut said, “The entire film, from the train sequence to the climax, is incredibly inspiring. It offers a profound insight into a soldier's life. The climax of the fight is beyond words. It's not easy to comprehend what it takes to face the enemy, holding your gun or having them in your sights, knowing you are also a target. It's unbelievable, even as someone who's not a real-life soldier; you're just in awe of the air combat and the whole spectacle. The courage displayed is extraordinary. They're out there, and it just takes one bullet or one missile, either for them or you. What kind of thrill is that? What level of dedication, madness, or patriotism does one need to possess to willingly put themselves in that kind of situation for the country? It's truly awe-inspiring.”
When asked how it feels that the film is reaching a global audience, she said, “It's a, you know, for us to have a homegrown international platform like ZEE5 Global, which is doing exceptionally well, even the most viewed digital films were from ZEE5 Global last year. And I think what kind of impression I would want people to take away from this is to see Indian Air Force in, you know, with the sense of with it with a sense of pride and, and what we're able to achieve. You know, as a young nation, in these many years of freedom is remarkable. It's an ode to our defense forces. I want the whole world to look up to our defense forces and that's the endeavor and ZEE5 Global is providing us that platform where we can reach out to the whole world. This this is, this is incredible.”
Written and directed by Sarvesh Mewara and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Tejas is available to stream on ZEE5 Global.
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.