Cinema is a director’s medium and Bollywood boasts of a long list of filmmakers who have used this medium to tell meaningful, engrossing stories that cut across generations.
Whether it seems to be so or not, filmmaking is a difficult art form. While many people take years to master the craft of storytelling on celluloid, some are born storytellers who know how to touch the right chord of the audience. Today, we are going to take a look at some new-age filmmakers who hit a home run with their debut film.
Vinil Mathew
Vinil Mathew, whose latest directorial Haseen Dillruba (2021) shattered several viewership records upon its premiere on Netflix, debuted with Hasee Toh Phasee (2014). Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra in lead roles, the romantic comedy-drama turned out to be a great success in the year of its release. It was Mathew’s sharp eye for human relationship nuances and courage to represent his stars in a new mould that helped the film win viewers’ hearts and attain cult status.
Ayan Mukerji
Wake Up Sid, which marked Ayan Mukerji’s directorial debut in 2009, is counted amongst the most loved films of recent years. Though the film resonated more with the youngsters, it received love from all segments of the audience. Produced by Karan Johar under the banner of Dharma Productions, Wake Up Sid took the audience on a nostalgic trip and made them reminisce about their college life. From moving into a new city to finding one’s voice in the chaos of Mumbai, the filmmaker brilliantly captured the world from a young person’s lens. Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma delivered brilliant performances in the film.
Farhan Akhtar
How can one even think of a listicle around the most smashing directorial debuts without mentioning Farhan Akhtar and his cult film Dil Chahta Hai (2001)! Even after 21 years of its release, Dil Chahta Hai remains one of the most relatable and progressive films on college, love, relationship, and friendship. It is true that it has been 21 years since the release of the film, but it still feels as fresh and contemporary as did more than two decades ago.
Rajkumar Hirani
Rajkumar Hirani, one of the most successful filmmakers of Indian cinema, developed a franchise film with his debut film, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. The blockbuster comedy-drama broke the box office by minting record-breaking numbers. Apart from that, Munna Bhai and Circuit, played by Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi, are still hailed as some of the iconic characters crafted by the filmmaker. Even after almost two decades of its release, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. attracts a huge audience on its television premieres.
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.