A DOCTOR-turned-filmmaker has created a romantic comedy that puts a new spin on traditional Bollywood themes. The film, shot in 18 days in Vancouver, Canada, is set to premiere at the BFI London Film Festival (LFF) next week.
Roshan Sethi's A Nice Indian Boy tells the story of Naveen Gavaskar, played by Indian-American actor Karan Soni, and Jay Kurundkar, played by American actor Jonathan Groff. Jay is adopted by Indian migrant parents and raised in a Maharashtrian household. Their story begins with a chance meeting at a temple, and their shared love for Bollywood movies, particularly the 1990s hit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, leads to an emotional journey towards a traditional Indian wedding.
“I grew up with DDLJ like most Indian people abroad, but it really became part of the film through the script adaptation,” Sethi told PTI ahead of the LFF screenings scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday. “I'm really excited for the London Film Festival audiences to see it,” he added, noting the challenges of creating an independent film featuring a diverse cast.
Sethi highlighted the difficulties in making such films today, especially in Hollywood. "Hollywood is one of the most racist industries in America, so I hope that stories like this are widely seen,” he said, adding that he senses a shift away from diversity in the industry.
The screenplay, adapted from a play written by Madhuri Shekar, incorporates personal elements from Sethi’s life with his partner, Soni. "I was closeted until around six years ago," Sethi shared, explaining how his love story with Soni influenced the film’s narrative.
The movie features Indian actor Harish Patel as the father and Indian-American comedian Zarna Garg as the mother of the lead character. The film explores how the family responds to Naveen's sexuality. "You can tell there’s discomfort, but not sheer opposition," Sethi explained.
Sethi hopes the film will resonate with a broad audience, including in India. He believes that films with specific cultural contexts often have universal appeal. "I don’t think it will be as simple as gay people loving the movie... the more specific you make them, the more people they end up appealing to," he said.
With its focus on love, family, and acceptance, A Nice Indian Boy includes a traditional Indian wedding, though Sethi himself prefers a more modest wedding for his own life. "Both of us are shy in different ways... I would prefer a modest one,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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.