Filmmaker Karan Johar is known for making big-budgeted commercial potboilers which boast of an impressive cast, magnificent sets, lavish costumes, and elaborate song and dance routines. His latest directorial venture Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani ticks all the boxes that his fans will be hoping for.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is set in Delhi where Ranveer Singh plays a flamboyant Punjabi boy Rocky Randhawa. One day he finds out that his wheelchair-bound grandfather (Dharmendra) once had a brief romance with a woman called Jamini Chatterjee (Shabana Azmi). Rocky tries to find out the whereabouts of Jamini and ends up meeting her granddaughter Rani Chatterjee, a famous journalist. Both decide to help their respective grandparent rekindle their old romance but end up falling for each other while doing so. However, their families, particularly Rocky’s authoritative grandmother (Jaya Bachchan), oppose their romance as both come from different social backgrounds and have nothing in common. What happens next is what the film is all about.
The film has every ingredient to be a success at the box office. Ranveer Singh, who has not tasted success for a long time now, gets into the skin of his character and plays the flamboyant and boisterous Punjabi man effortlessly. Be it comedic scenes, romantic scenes, or emotional scenes, he brings his A-game to the table and impresses with his talent.
Talking about Alia Bhatt, she is on a roll with back-to-back successful films to her credit and delivers an endearing performance yet again. She suits the role of an intellectual, well-read, modern woman to the tee. Full marks to the costume and make-up department for making her look even more gorgeous on the screen. Her chemistry with Singh is electrifying. One can feel the sparks throughout the film, which is close to 3 hours long.
Veteran actor Dharmendra manages to make you feel cry and smile with his magnetic performance. You feel a different vibe when he appears on the screen. His chemistry with co-star Shabana Azmi is as crackling as that of Alia and Ranveer. Azmi gets several amazing scenes in the film and she nails them with aplomb.
Veteran actress Jaya Bachchan also does justice to her character of a strict grandmother who runs her family on her terms and conditions. The funny part is that most of her angry expressions in the film look similar to the expressions she gives to the paparazzi in real life. Anjali Anand, who plays the role of Rocky’s sister, is also brilliant. Other actors in the supporting cast play their parts well. The music, the sets, and the cinematography are top-notch.
What is probabilistic with the film is the way it delivers its message. It talks about patriarchy, misogyny, sexism, fat-shaming, and what not, but fails to hit a home run with any issue. The way it objectifies and sexualises its leading man is also problematic. The editing could have been crispier.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is now running in cinemas.
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.