How many times did we ask our mothers about their dreams or wishes that they had to sacrifice because of us? Well, we are sure none of us ever thought of doing that. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's Panga talks about a woman who at the age of 32 decides to fulfill her dream.
The movie revolves around Jaya (Kangana Ranaut), Prashant (Jassie Gill) and Adi (Yagya Bhasin). They are a perfect family, but one thing always hurts Jaya that after delivering a child she failed to continue playing Kabaddi. Once her son comes to know that Kabaddi is her mother’s dream, he pushes her to make a comeback in the game. How Jaya makes a comeback and what struggle the family goes through, takes the story forward…
The movie is written by Nikhil Mehrotra, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari (additional screenplay and dialogues). They have done a wonderful job with the writing. The story is good, the screenplay is refreshing and the dialogues are just superb. The one-liners are so good that you will laugh out loud. The movie will make you smile, laugh, get tears in your eyes and most importantly inspire you to fulfill your dreams.
After Nil Battey Sannata and Bareilly Ki Barfi, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari has now directed Panga. Well, Nil Battey Sannata was a fantastic film, and though Bareilly Ki Barfi wasn’t a great watch, it was a decent movie. Now with Panga, Tiwari proves that she is one of the best directors we have in the industry. She has narrated the film beautifully. She gets the perfect amount drama and emotions in the film. The Kabaddi matches are also very well narrated; you will feel an adrenaline rush while watching it on the big screen.
Talking about performances, Kangana Ranaut has been surprising us with her each and every film and Panga is not an exception. She has once again given an award-winning performance. She is perfect as Jaya and we can’t imagine any other actress in this role. Jassie Gill as Jaya’s husband, Prashant, looks damn cute and has performed very well. We are sure after watching the film every girl will wish to have a husband like Prashant. The child artist Yagya Bhasin is fantastic in the film. He has been given some wonderful dialogues and he is a show-stealer. Richa Chadha is simply outstanding in the film and Neena Gupta impresses us.
The music of the film is quite good and you will be humming the title track while leaving the theatre.
Overall, Panga is an entertaining as well as very inspiring film. It’s a perfect tribute to all the mothers.
Ratings: 4/5
Watch the trailer here…
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.