The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023 kick-started with an opening ceremony that was attended by major cine personalities, including Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
The 10-day film gala has returned with its first on-ground edition after a gap of three years. It commenced with the ceremony, held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) with filmmakers Karan Johar, Hansal Mehta, Vishal Bhardwaj and wife Rekha Bhardwaj, Zoya Akhtar and producer Ektaa R Kapoor, also in attendance.
Filmmaker Karan Johar (Photo: ANI)
Actors Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Rajkumar Rao with wife Patralekha, Bhumi Pednekar, Sonam Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Babil Khan, Arjun Rampal, among others, marked their presence at the festival as well.
Karisma Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan (Photo:ANI)
Chopra Jonas, who is the chairperson of the film gala's current edition, expressed her excitement to kick-start the festival.
"Welcome to the Jio Mami Film Festival where cinema is not just an art form but a way of life,” the actor said.
Kareena-starrer The Buckingham Murders, directed by Hansal Mehta, served as the opening film of the festival.
At the ceremony, renowned directors Mani Ratnam and Luca Guadagnino were honoured with the Excellence in Cinema Award for their outstanding and long-lasting contribution to the world of cinema. Haasan and Chopra Jonas presented the awards to the two cinema stalwarts.
Bhumi Pednekar, the brand ambassador for Dimensions Mumbai - a short film competition on the theme of Mumbai City for filmmakers across India, presented the awards to the winners along with the jury members Shahana Goswani, Anvitaa Dutt and Shriya Pilgaonkar.
The festival will showcase over 250 films with a special focus on contemporary films and new cinematic voices from South Asia.
According to the organisers, the gala boasts over 40 world premieres, 45 Asia premieres, 70 South Asia premieres, and 13 sections.
The 2023 line-up features big titles like Hirokazu Kore-eda's Monster, Bradley Cooper's Oscar-tipped Maestro, Anurag Kashyap's Kennedy, and Justine Triet's Palme d'Or winning movie Anatomy of a Fall.
The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will conclude on November 5.
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.