Headlined by Oscar-winning actor Riz Ahmed, Apple TV’s upcoming science fiction romance film Fingernails has been creating ripples ever since the project was picked up by Apple in Cannes Film Festival deal in 2022.
The film sees Ahmed as Amir, who may willingly give up a fingernail to determine the accuracy of a machine’s measurement of love.
Fingernails is based on a future where a test measures if couples are truly in love with each other, leading to the creation of institutes to help foster successful relationships. One skeptical woman starts working at one institute to find out more, assisting a mysterious and dedicated instructor.
The film also stars Jessie Buckley who plays Anna, opposite Ahmed’s Amir. Jeremy Allen White is onboard to play Ryan. Annie Murphy also stars in Fingernails alongside Ahmed, Buckley, and White.
The story begins with Buckley's Anna perfectly matched to White's Ryan, but after landing a job at a mysterious facility, Anna's feelings for Ryan waver as she develops an interest in Amir, who has been working with couples interested in utilizing the facility's machine, a computer that can determine how deep their feelings for each other truly run. This is done by studying a fingernail that has been removed from each partner.
The film marks director Christos Nikou’s English language debut after his debut film Apples became Greece's Oscar entry.
Nikou co-wrote the film with Apples' co-writer Stavros Raptis, as well as Sam Steiner.
Cate Blanchett, Coco Francini, and Andrew Upton of Dirty Films with produce the film, with Jerome Duboz as executive producer. FilmNation Entertainment will also handle production duties and be the studio for the film.
As per reports, Fingernails will make its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, or TIFF, with a streaming and limited theatrical release date of November 3, 2023.
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.