DIRECTOR Karan Johar marked the first anniversary of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani on Sunday (28), expressing his gratitude for the love received since the film's release.
The Hindi film, which debuted on July 28, 2023, marked Johar's return to directing after a seven-year hiatus. It was produced by his family banner Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios.
Johar's film, hailed as one of his most gender-realised works, starred Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as the titular couple from different cultural backgrounds.
In a heartfelt note on Instagram, Johar thanked the cast and crew for their support and described the movie as "a celebration of Hindi cinema."
"Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani turns 1 today – and I am so heppy…so heppy! I am so humbled and grateful for the huge amount of love that has come my way this past year. The film was a celebration of Hindi cinema and I’m so honoured to have had such a celebrated cast and crew on the film!!!! @ranveersingh and @aliaabhatt have my heart forever! Best Rocky and Rani ever!!! Both of them made my life and job so easy! They came…I saw and they conquered…love you both from last life…" he wrote.
Besides its scale, music, and an ensemble cast including cinema veterans Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Shabana Azmi, the movie was both a critical and commercial success. It earned over ₹350 crore (£325.8 million) worldwide in reported earnings.
"Honoured to have directed Jaya aunty again, she was the most loved actor on our set! Love you so much aunty J!" Johar wrote for the actor with whom previously worked in 2001's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... Privileged to have directed legends @azmishabana18 ji and @aapkadharam ji. When we finished working with them I felt like singing Abhi na jao chodke…ke dil abhi bhara nahi to them!" he said, referring to a key plot point in the film.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is a story of modern relationships but also about gender dynamics in families that need to evolve with time. The film also featured Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly, Aamir Bashir, Kshitee Jog, Anjali Anand, Namit Das, and Abhinav Sharma in pivotal roles.
"The best ensemble any filmmaker could have asked for - @totaroychoudhury, @utterlychurni, @kshiteejog, Aamir, @anjalidineshanand, @namitdas, @abhinavsharma5 …love and immense respect for all of you!" Johar added.
In his post, the 52-year-old also gave a special shout-out to Dharma Productions CEO and best friend Apoorva Mehta, his film's writing team comprising Shashank Khaitan, Ishita Moitra and Sumit Roy, music composer Pritam Chakraborty, lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya, costume designer Manish Malhotra, choreographers Farah Khan, Vaibhavi Merchant, Ganesh Acharyaa, and Remo D'souza.
"... You all are the wind beneath my wings…love you all!!! To my amazing AD team you were the spine of our film! The production team that weathered every storm…. THANK YOU!!!" he added.
"Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" was released in the 25th anniversary year of Johar's career which boasts of hits such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and My Name is Khan. Prior to this, his last film as a director was 2016's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. (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.