Leading streaming media giant Netflix on Thursday raised the curtain on its exciting slate of 17 Indian titles, comprising an electric mix of high-profile Bollywood films and shows.
Among movies, we have Dharma Productions’ much-awaited biographical drama Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, starring Janhvi Kapoor in the titular role; Balaji Telefilms’ much-delayed satirical offering Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, featuring Konkona Sen Sharma and Bhumi Pednekar in principal roles; T-Series Films’ anthology Ludo, fronted by Abhishek Bachchan, Rajkummar Rao, Aditya Roy Kapur, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra and Pankaj Tripathi; Sanjay Dutt and Nargis Fakhri’s action thriller Torbaaz; Radhika Apte and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s crime thriller Raat Akeli Hai; the romantic comedy Ginny Weds Sunny with Yami Gautam and Vikrant Massey and the animated Bombay Rose.
Among shows, Mira Nair’s hugely anticipated miniseries A Suitable Boy, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Maan Kapoor in lead roles; the young adult romance Mismatched with Prajakta Koli and Rohit Saraf and Bombay Begums, the story of five women across generations, trying to balance their desires, ethics and personal lives in a male-dominated society.
Netflix India’s new bouquet of offerings is set to rival the regional content that competitors like Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar have been launching during the Coronavirus lockdown in India.
“Our exciting line-up of content is across multiple genres and many formats. We are bringing heartfelt dramas, rom-coms, thrillers and more, from amazing creators and talent, both established and emerging. We announced these Indian original series and films because our audiences love the dazzling diversity and variety of our stories,” Monika Shergill, VP Content, Netflix India, said in a statement.
She added, “As a full-scale entertainment service, we want to offer an exciting slate to our members, knowing that each person’s Netflix profile is unique to their taste, mood and need. So, whether they love global titles, world cinema, Hindi films or regional Indian language titles, they will discover something they enjoy on any given night.”
The slate also includes such films as Tribhanga, Kaali Khuhi, Serious Men, Class Of 83 and AK vs AK and shows Masaba Masaba and Bhaag Beanie Bhaag.
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.