Devashish Makhija's survival thriller Joram, which is playing at the Busan International Film Festival, will be released theatrically worldwide by Zee Studios in December, reported Variety.
The film, which premiered earlier this year in Rotterdam, is part of Busan's A Window on Asian Cinema strand.
Manoj Bajpayee, who previously appeared in Makhija's 2016 short Taandav and as the titular character in Bhonsle, plays Dasru, a tribal migrant worker in Mumbai whose history catches up with him and forces him to flee with his infant daughter Joram.
Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub plays a weary Mumbai cop in pursuit of Dasru. A malevolent tribal lawmaker, played by Smita Tambe and Tannishtha Chatterjee (Busan winner "Roam Rome Mein"), and Rajshri Deshpande make cameo appearances in the film.
According to Variety, the film is produced by Zee Studios and Makhijafilm. Zee Studios is enjoying an exceptional 2023 in both art and commerce aspects.
Festival playdates for Joram also include Sydney, Edinburgh, and Durban, where Bajpayee won best actor and Piyush Puty best cinematography, with Chicago next. The studio's Kennedy, directed by Anurag Kashyap, bowed at Cannes and is on an extended festival run with next playdates at IFFSA Toronto and the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
Ashish Bende's Aatmapamphlet and series Brown, headlined by Karisma Kapoor, debuted at the Berlinale. And Gadar 2, starring Sunny Deol, is one of the biggest Indian box office hits of the year.
Makhija said, "Although it's our third collaboration, Joram will be the first time Manoj and I see a theatrical release together. For Anupama Bose and myself at Makhijafilm, this will be an incredible culmination of a most incredible journey for our first production. Joram has screened at the top festivals on each and every continent in under a year, in the main competition in most of them. To now give a release worldwide in theatres for our labour-of-endless-love vindicates the immense faith and stamina and rigour Zee Studios has shown in 'Joram'. We cannot wait to hear what the audiences have to say."
Bajpayee said, "I am excited about Joram and the recognition it has received at prestigious international film festivals. We are bringing this compelling story to cinemas worldwide on December 1, 2023. The journey of this film from the international stage to the big screen underscores its universal and timeless themes. I can't wait to share this profound story with a global audience and hope it echoes with people from various backgrounds and cultures," 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.