There are just a couple of hours left before the 95th Academy Awards honour the best films, performances, music, and film technology of the year 2022. Indians are also looking forward to the gala night with bated breath as there have been three nominations from the country. While Indian documentaries All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers have scooped nominations in the categories of Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Documentary Short Film, respectively, the song “Naatu Naatu” from SS Rajamouli’s global blockbuster RRR has received a nomination in the Best Original Song category. As we gear up to watch the Oscars 2023, let’s have a last-minute look at three nominations from India and know a bit more about them.
1. All That Breathes
Helmed by Shaunak Sen, All That Breathes has made it to the final list of the Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature Film, becoming the second Indian-made documentary to be nominated in the long documentary format after Writing With Fire in 2021. It follows two brothers named Nadeem Shehzad and Mohammad Saud, who are trying to protect Delhi’s black kites at a temporary hospital in their basement in Delhi. All That Breathes previously won the ‘World Cinema Grand Jury Prize.
2. The Elephant Whisperers
Directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga, The Elephant Whisperers has been nominated for Best Documentary Short awards. It takes the viewers inside the 140-year-old Theppakadu elephant camp in Tamil Nadu, to meet Bomman and Bellie and an unbreakable bond they form with two abandoned elephants.
3. RRR
RRR is one of the biggest global blockbusters India has ever produced. The SS Rajamouli directorial is nominated for Best Original Song for the dance song “Naatu Naatu,” composed by veteran music composer MM Keeravaani. The song has already won the prestigious Golden Globe Award in the same category and Indians are pretty hopeful that it will bring home an Oscar also.
The 95th Academy Awards will be held on 12th March at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with American TV host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel as the host. And the morning of March 13 will see the Oscars 2023 telecast in India.
Stay tuned to this space for more updates!
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.