The Sound of Metal (2019) star Riz Ahmed is set to head the jury for the Platform Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival 2021, taking place September 9-18.
TIFF has selected eight features for its Platform section, including Laurent Cantet’s Arthur Rambo, and Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s Montana Story.
“I am honoured to be named president of the Platform jury at TIFF this year and to be a part of TIFF with Encounter. TIFF has always been a festival that showcases bold and daring cinema on a global stage. Its commitment to celebrating small independent films, like Sound of Metal, has had such a significant impact on my career and many others,” said Ahmed.
“I am looking forward to watching all of this year’s selections and working alongside my fellow jury members, he added.
Ahmed will head the Platform jury, with further jurors to be announced soon. He previously appeared in the 2019 TIFF Platform title Sound Of Metal, which went on to achieve six Oscar nominations - including best actor for Ahmed – and two wins, in best sound and best film editing.
“It is a pleasure for TIFF to provide the Platform program as a stage that celebrates brilliant filmmakers. We are certain that TIFF audiences will be pleasantly surprised with their unique approach to cinematic expression,” said Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey, TIFF co-heads.
Here are all eight titles which will play as world premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival 2021:
Arthur Rambo (Dir. Laurent Cantet)
Drunken Birds (Les oiseaux ivres) (Dir. Ivan Grbovic)
Earwig (Dir. Lucile Hadžihalilović)
Huda’s Salon (Dir. Hany Abu-Assad)
Mlungu Wam (Good Madam) (Mlungu Wam) (Dir. Jenna Cato Bass)
Montana Story (Dirs. Scott McGehee, David Siegel)
Silent Land (Cicha Ziemia) Aga Woszczyńska
Yuni (Dir. Kamila Andini)
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.