Mindy Kaling’s animated series Velma, which is a prequel to the much-loved series Scooby-Doo, has achieved a new feat among animated series rated on IMDb. However, it is not something worth celebrating and being proud of.
On January 20, the show managed to garner a collective rating of 1.3 out of 10 stars on the ratings database, making it the worst-rated animated series in the site’s history. IMDb gives users the opportunity to rate shows between 1 and 10. It then works out an average user score based on fan votes.
According to Forbes, “a rare combination of anti-woke review bombers, left-leaning viewers who think the series is just plain bad, and Scooby-Doo enthusiasts upset by the changes made to the IP have made Velma one of the lowest audience scoring series I’ve seen in HBO history.”
The prequel to the Scooby-Doo series follows the gang, sans Scooby, as teenage rivals and misfits.
It was launched as “an adult animated comedy series telling the origin story of Velma Dinkley, the unsung and under-appreciated brains of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. gang. This original and humorous spin unmasks the complex and colorful past of one of America’s most beloved mystery solvers."
Written by Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy, the series landed on HBO Max on January 12. With four episodes out, it has already been trashed by the audience with Kaling bearing brunt of the show’s failure of epic proportion.
A user wrote, “She wrote Velma just like all her other characters lmao “Omg I’m a brown girl and I hate myself for being brown were all so ugly” then just added the most unlikable personality on top.”
“Criticizing Mindy because she’s a woman of colour is unfair. However, she’s portrayed a lot of negative stereotypes of brown people through her self insertion and Velma is another instance of that. It’s like how Kenya Barris or Tyler Perry portray black people,” wrote another.
Criticizing Mindy because she’s a woman of color is unfair, however she’s portrayed a lot of negative stereotypes of brown ppl through her self insertion and velma is another instance of that. It’s like how Kenya Barris or Tyler Perry portray black people
— Coonske Niggameshi (@CNiggameshi) January 23, 2023
Not only on IMDb, but Velma has emerged as the worst-rated show on several other review aggregator websites also. But undeterred by the dismal response from fans, HBO Max is reportedly planning a second season of the series.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.