Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan's streaming debut Jaane Jaan has been selected as the opening film of The Himalayan Film Festival 2023. Short film Last Days of Summer, directed by Stenzin Tankong, will also open the festival.
Helmed by Sujoy Ghosh, Jaane Jaan also stars Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat. The film is based in Kalimpong and is the official adaptation of the bestselling novel Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino.
Excited to bring his film to the festival, Sujoy Ghosh said in a statement, "It’s an honour to be a part of The Himalayan Film Festival 2023. As a fellow warrior, we all must be inspired by the efforts of THFF and similar festivals to take films to every part of the world. That is so fantastic and we should all walk together because nothing unites us more than a good film. My film Jaane Jaan, which is slated to release on Netflix India, will be screened at the festival and I could not be happier”
Kareena Kapoor Khan said, “I am super excited that Jaane Jaan by Netflix India is going to screen at The Himalayan Film Festival in Ladakh, which happens to be one of my most favourite places. It's an absolutely wonderful place and I have such a deep connection with it.”
Last Days of Summer is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas which follows two young shepherds who are haunted by a recurring mysterious sound that only they can hear. Determined to uncover the truth, they embark on a perilous journey into the unknown, leading them to unravel a spine-tingling mystery.
Stenzin Tankong, Director and Co-Producer of the opening film - Last Days of Summer, also expressed his happiness. "No honour is bigger, no platform is more important than my home here in Ladakh to showcase my film. THFF is my home. The film deals with real issues that my community faces due to climate change. The nomadic culture of Changthang is on the brink of extinction. I would like for the world to come together in understanding our issues, issues of one of the remotest regions, rarest of cultures and heritage of India and world at large," he said.
Avinash Arun Dhaware’s Three of Us, starring Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat and Swanand Kirkire, will close The Himalayan Film Festival.
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.