Rami Malek’s latest role in The Amateur has left a lasting impression on him but not just because of the action-packed storyline. The actor, best known for playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, says working on the CIA thriller has made him more alert and a bit unsettled about just how closely we’re being watched in cities like London.
The film follows Malek as Charlie Heller, a CIA codebreaker who loses his wife, played by Rachel Brosnahan, in a terrorist attack. When the agency refuses to take proper action, he pushes back, demanding training and diving headfirst into a solo mission to track down those responsible. It’s not your typical shootout story and Charlie uses brain over brawn, relying on tech, smarts and cyber tools to get justice.
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But it wasn’t just the role that got Malek thinking differently. While shooting in London, one of the most heavily monitored cities in the world, he became hyperaware of the sheer number of surveillance cameras. “There were something like 937,000 cameras in London,” he said at the premiere. “Probably even more now.”
Instead of feeling safer, he admits the experience left him with a sense that privacy might be a thing of the past. “I already felt like I was being watched all the time. This just confirmed it. There’s really no such thing as a secret anymore.”
Rami Malek explores themes of loss, revenge, and surveillance in The AmateurGetty Images
Malek, who recently wrapped a stage run at the Old Vic, even joked about how people now speak in public, gesturing that many cover their mouths just in case someone’s listening in. “You start to wonder what the government hears. What’s being recorded. Even right now, I’ve got four microphones and cameras all around me.”
Despite the paranoia, the actor found something deeper in the story. He reflected on grief, saying that his character could have shut down but instead chose to channel his loss into purpose. “There’s a determination that comes from that kind of pain,” he said.
Set against London’s watchful backdrop, The Amateur follows one man’s fight for justice after a personal tragedyGetty Images
Based on a novel from 1981, The Amateur also stars Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal and Laurence Fishburne, and hits UK cinemas on April 11.
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.