R Madhavan's much-awaited directorial debut, biographical drama Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, will have its world premiere during the 75th Cannes Film Festival. The Palais des Festival premiere will take place during a prime-time slot at 9 pm on Thursday 19th May as part of the celebration of India as the official country of honour at the Cannes Film Market this year – an inaugural tradition that will be continued in future editions.
The launch of the festival tradition is particularly significant during its 75th year, coinciding with 75 years of Indian independence. India’s Ministry of Culture has officially selected Rocketry: The Nambi Effect for its red-carpet world premiere at the prestigious venue.
Actor-turned-filmmaker R Madhavan plays the role of the eponymous Indian scientist, Nambi Narayanan, a former ISRO scientist, an aerospace engineer, and has also directed, produced, and written the film.
Speaking about Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’s world premiere at Cannes Film Festival, R Madhavan said, “I’m in a daze! I just started by wanting to tell the story of Nambi Narayanan and I’m unable to believe all that’s happening. With God’s grace, we’ve waited long and I’m grateful and thrilled to watch all the good things happening for the film. As a debut director, my nervousness is making it difficult for me to breathe & all I hope is to make India proud!"
Capturing the iconic ISRO space scientist Nambi Narayan’s story of struggle, determination, and triumph, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, has been shot simultaneously in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, and English. Its theatrical WORLDWIDE release, scheduled for 1st July, will also feature Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada versions.
Staged on a mammoth scale, the film has been shot in India, France, Canada, Georgia, and Serbia. With a powerful ensemble star cast comprising acclaimed international actors like Phyllis Logan, Vincent Riotta, and Ron Donachie and with special appearances by superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Suriya.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is produced by TriColour films, Varghese Moolan Pictures, and 27th Investments. The film is being distributed by UFO Moviez and Red Giant Movies in India and will be distributed internationally by Yash Raj Films and Phars Film Co.
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.