The much-anticipated 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) commenced on August 10 with an inauguration press conference, marked by the presence of several prominent Bollywood personalities and luminaries. The event was inaugurated by Karan Johar, Kartik Aaryan, Mrunal Thakur, and Vijay Varma.
Several pictures from the film festival are currently circulating on social media. In one such picture, Karan and Kartik could be seen posing together for the camera.
For the unversed, Kartik and Karan were supposed to work on the sequel to Dharma Productions’ 2008 film Dostana starring John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Abhishek Bachchan. The sequel also had Janhvi Kapoor and Lakshya on the cast. However, KJo had to shelve the project following some differences with Kartik.
On being asked by an Indo-Australian media outlet present at the press conference about them working together, Karan said, “We did attempt to work together once in the past but that didn't materialise. But we are working together on something. Hopefully, this will materialise.”
Meanwhile, Kartik will be honoured with the Rising Global Superstar of Indian Cinema award at the annual awards Gala night on August 11.
IFFM will also showcase multiple screenings of Kartik's films including Satyaprem Ki Katha and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. IFFM will also pay tribute to the filmmaker Karan Johar by celebrating his visionary storytelling, and his unwavering passion for cinema. The festival will showcase Johar's exceptional contribution to Indian cinema by hosting a series of events and special screenings in his honor.
Stay tuned to this space for more updates!
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.