The musical version of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair’s 2001 hit comedy-drama Monsoon Wedding premiered in Doha as part of Qatar Creates’ cultural programme for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and beyond.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar Creates Events, which is presenting the show, had earlier said, “Monsoon Wedding is a story that inspires debate about the nature of life, identity, and our place within an ever-changing world.”
As per reports, shows of the film will run every day until November 27 with two additional shows on 23rd and 26th at Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre, Souq Waqif.
Talking about the film, Mira Nair said, “This is a celebration of family, laughter, joy, and also of silence and the other side of life. And it is (a story of a) family which is such a universal force in all of our lives.”
Sharing her excitement over the fact that Qatar is hosting the world premiere of her musical, she added, “I love to be in Qatar today because this is a culture and home of many cultures and so is our musical Monsoon Wedding where people have crossed borders, crossed countries to find love, so thank you for this invitation.”
She continued, “In the beautiful collision that is Monsoon Wedding, the bride and the groom meet across oceans, both having their own vision of India and America. At its core, our story is about love. I think of the musical as imbuing four kinds of love: what I call “old shoe love” – the neglected love between the father and mother of the bride that is rekindled again; the love that is arranged but could ignite – the love between the groom and the bride; the nonmaterial, pure love over a flower – of Alice and Dubey, the maid and the tent man. And unfortunately, the twisted love that has never been love at all but has afflicted so many lives,” she said.
The red carpet for the premiere saw the attendance of the original cast of Monsoon Wedding, including Lillete Dubey and Tillotama Shom. Acclaimed actress Tabu and noted music composer and director Vishal Bhardwaj were also present at the premiere.
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A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.