The trailer of Ram Madhvani ‘s Dhamaka was released on Tuesday (19). The movie, which stars Kartik Aaryan, Mrunal Thakur, and Amruta Subhash, is an adaptation of the South Korean film The Terror Live (2013).
According to PTI, at the trailer launch of the film in Mumbai, while talking about the similarities between the two films, Madhvani told the reporters, "How many times have you seen 'Ramayana' and Shakespeare's plays? There are some stories worth telling again and I feel those adaptations make sense as they allow us to reach a whole new generation.
"There is perhaps a sense of excitement when you watch something again. It also depends on whether it is a good or bad adaptation; we hope it is a good adaptation. We respect the work that has come to us and it is very different," he added.
Madhvani pointed that the movie is "not about journalism", but the media serves as a backdrop in the plot. He further added, "We have seen photographers standing for two-three hours without food and water and it is an incredible job that you are doing. It is a human drama story. It's an emotional story about an ambitious man and about the things that you gain and lose as you climb the ladder of success.”
Thakur, who plays the role of a journalist in the movie, said, "I always wanted to be a crime journalist. As an actor working with Ram, I gained that opportunity to work with him because he is my dream director to work with. The minute I got this opportunity I wanted to make it work.”
"As a journalist, there are several responsibilities about field reporting. So I saw a lot of videos and did research, we had workshops. It's a very tough job. Every day was risky but this role was very important for me to discover many things. The dream that didn't get fulfilled in my college, it happened through Dhamaka," the actress added.
Dhamaka will premiere on Netflix on 19th November 2021.
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.