The first reactions to Ms Marvel, the upcoming Disney+ series, are in and social media users are over the moon to find out that Marvel Studio's newest superhero is a bona fide fan of Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Critics from select international publications were given access to the first two episodes of the six episode-series, fronted by newcomer Iman Vellani who plays Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel, a Pakistani-American teenager growing up in Jersey City, US.
Quoting a dialogue from Ms Marvel, California-based film critic and journalist Courteney Howard said the series had already become her favourite after the makers brought up Shah Rukh's name and films, such as Baazigar (1993) and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), in the show.
"They shout-out BAAZIGAR, DDLJ, and SRK (There's no such thing as a bad Shah Rukh Khan movie?) in #MsMarvel episode 2 so *obviously* it's the best Marvel series ever," Howard tweeted.
Directed by Adil El Arbi-Bilall Fallah, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Meera Menon, Ms Marvel will start streaming in India on Disney+ Hotstar from June 8. Bisha K Ali serves as head writer on the project.
London-based Haroon Rashid, entertainment reporter at the BBC Asian Network, said as a South Asian he was happy to see Shah Rukh finding a mention in the show alongside Pakistani singer-songwriter Hasan Raheem's song "Peechay Hutt" being included in the soundtrack of Ms Marvel.
"LOVED the first 2 eps of Ms Marvel. This is the South Asian rep (representation) I want to see. Sugar-coated saunf (fennel), dialogue about @iamsrk's best film, a soundtrack including @hasanraheeem's Peechay Hutt. Kamala Khan is unapologetically brown and I LOVE IT," Rashid wrote on Twitter.
Nikita Kanda, TV & Radio Presenter at the BBC, also recommended Ms Marvel to her Twitter followers.
"Loved the first two episodes of #MsMarvel it exceeded my expectations. The fact that SRK even got a mention feel very proud to see our South Asian culture being represented in the right way on the big screen defo one to add to your watch lists! @weareMediaHive (sic)," she added.
Once the tweets started going viral, many fans of Shah Rukh said they are now looking forward to watching Ms Marvel.
"Man this preview already has me psyched for all of the desi rep we're gonna get in the #MCU from #MsMarvel Can't believe we're getting references to @iamsrk AND a @cokestudio performer!!" a user wrote.
"SRK NAME DROP IN MS MARVEL LESGOOOOOO (sic)," said another Shah Rukh fan.
"It trips me out that we now have an #MCU project that features not one, but two scenes with characters discussing #ShahRukhKhan @iamsrk's filmography. #MsMarvel #KamalaKhan @MarvelStudios."
Not just Shah Rukh fans, admirers of Indian actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and Pakistani stars Fawad Khan and Nimra Bucha are also in for a treat as the trio is part of the Ms Marvel ensemble cast. "Hostages" actor Mohan Kapur features in the show as well.
According to the official plotline, "Kamala is an avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe with an oversized imagination -- particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel (played by Brie Larson in MCU). Yet Kamala feels she doesn't fit in at school and sometimes even at home, until she gets superpowers like her idols."
Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, and Travina Springer also round out the cast of Ms Marvel.
Ms Marvel was created by G Willow Wilson, artiste Adrian Alphona, and editors Sana Amanat and Stephen Wacker with the teenage superhero first appearing in the comics in 2014.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.