Pakistani film exhibitors are keen to screen Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's upcoming biopic Sachin: A Billion Dreams if the film is cleared by the censor board.
"Since other Indian movies like Baahubali 2 and Half Girlfriend are doing fine, we would like to import Sachin as well. However, its release here is subject to the approval of the censor board," said Zoraiz Lashari, chairman of the Pakistan Films Exhibitors Association.
He said theatres in Pakistan are banking a lot on Indian movies.
"So far whichever movie from India has been screened here, it did good business," he added.
Directed by James Erskine, Sachin: A Billion Dreams, traces Sachin's journey from a young boy to a cricketing legend.
However, the film's distributor Anil Thadani said the movie will not release in Pakistan as of now because there has been no enquiry regarding the same.
"No it is not (releasing in Pakistan). They (distributors) usually approach us and take the film from us to show it in Pakistan. But we haven't got an enquiry from them so far," Thadani said.
When asked if the decision to not release Sachin in Pakistan is because of the political tension between the two countries, Thadani declined to comment.
Thadani added, "If it doesn't release (in Pakistan) then one loses out (business) but someone needs to pick it up, the terms needs to match."
Before its release tomorrow (26), the cricket fraternity and Bollywood stars attended the screening of the film yesterday.
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.