THE flood of Bollywood sports movies continued with this romantic cricket drama. Failed cricketer Mahendra (Rajkummar Rao) starts working in a sports shop and has an arranged marriage with Dr Mahima (Janhvi Kapoor).
Their love for cricket ensures the couple falls deeply in love. She encourages her husband to pursue his cricketing dream again, but he remains unsuccessful. When it turns out that Mahima herself is naturally gifted at the sport, Mahendra decides to coach her to glory, and it isn’t long before complications ensue.
This latest sports movie from Hindi cinema combines romance with cricket in an engaging way. After a relatively strong start, Mr & Mrs Mahi quickly slips into a predictable comfort zone.
There are elements of classic romantic musical Abhimaan, which revolved around an established music star being outshone by his wife. That worked because the husband was successful, whereas with this movie he has already failed multiple times to realise his dream.
Although this is ultimately supposed to be a gender equality story, it has questionable messaging including the wife only being complete and successful thanks to her husband.
Solid performances and great chemistry between the lead stars keep you engaged. Rajkummar Rao shows off good screen presence and Janhvi Kapoor continues to improve with each film.
There should have been more of the accomplished supporting cast, playing compelling characters. Zarina Wahab is surprisingly good, but there isn’t enough of her in the movie.
The music could also have been stronger and there was scope to put some more unexpected elements in there, including titling it Mrs & Mr Mahi. Ultimately, like most cricket movies in recent years this will most appeal to die-hard fans of the sport, but others will see this as a missed opportunity to deliver something special.
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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.