Sanya Malhotra's stellar performance in Mrsearned her Best Actress award at the New York Indian Film Festival 2024.
Taking to its official Instagram handle, director Arati Kadav shared the news and wrote, "Thrilled beyond words. The Best Actress! @sanyamalhotra_ @nyindianfilmfest.”
Re-sharing Arati's post on her Instagram stories, Sanya wrote, "Yay! Thank you, @nyindianfilmfest I can't wait for everyone to watch Mrs."
Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Pammi Baweja, and Harman Baweja, Mrs is helmed by Arati Kadav.
The film, which is a remake of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, revolves around Sanya's character who navigates the challenges and expectations imposed by society and her marital life. As she grapples with her role as a wife, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, striving to find her own voice and identity amidst the pressures of conforming to traditional norms. Ever since the film has been showcased at various film festivals, it is Sanya Malhotra who has been receiving accolades from the audience, her fans, and critics alike.
Earlier, Sanya shared her excitement when she got nominated for the award.
She said in a statement, "It is a proud moment for me that Mrs has been chosen as the closing film for NYIFF. Playing Richa, a character grappling with the delicate balance between tradition and ambition, was an immense honour and responsibility, given that it embodies the struggles of so many Indian women. Our endeavour to breathe life into this story has been incredibly rewarding and I am eagerly awaiting to share it with the world."
Apart from this film, Sanya has several interesting projects in her kitty. She will be seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.
Written and directed by Shashank Khaitan, the film is produced by Karan Johar under his company Dharma Productions.
Interestingly, the film marks Sanya's first project with Shashank Khaitan as well as Dharma Productions.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is set to hit the theatres on April 18, 2025.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.