Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar’s period drama Sardar Udham (2021), starring Vicky Kaushal in the titular role, emerged as the top winner at the IIFA Rocks 2022 ceremony with three awards in the technical categories, including cinematography and editing.
The annual ceremony that recognises the best technical talent in the Hindi film industry was held at the Etihad Arena, part of Yas Bay Waterfront on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Sardar Udham took home the honours for best cinematography for Avik Mukhopadhyay, best editing for Chandrashekhar Prajapati, and best special effects (Visuals) for NY VFXwaala, Edit FX Studios, Main Road Post Russia and Super8/ BOJP.
It was followed by Aanand L Rai's Atrangi Re (2021), starring Dhanush, Sara Ali Khan, and Akshay Kumar, with two wins -- best choreography for “Chaka Chak” (Vijay Ganguly) and background score for AR Rahman.
Other winners included Sidharth Malhotra-led Vikram Batra biopic Shershaah (2021) which bagged the best screenplay award for Sandeep Shrivastava.
Taapsee Pannu-starrer drama Thappad (2020) took the trophy for best dialogues for Anubhav Sinha and Mrunmayee Lagoo, whereas Ajay Devgn's hit period action drama Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020) was adjudged the winner of best sound design for Lochan Kanvinde.
Kabir Khan's 83 (2021), a drama on the Indian cricket team's 1983 World Cup win, won the best sound mixing award for Ajay Kumar PB and Manik Batra.
IIFA Rocks, which also hosts a musical evening, was hosted by director Farah Khan and actor-singer Aparshakti Khurrana, who had the audience constantly in splits with their gags and punchlines.
The evening saw several Bollywood stars in attendance like Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, and Ananya Panday among others.
Being held for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the gala ceremony required a mandatory RTPCR report and face masks at the entrance of the venue.
Designer duo Falguni & Shane Peacock presented their creations at the NEXA fashion show with actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Ananya as their showstoppers.
The main awards evening will be held on Saturday with Salman, Riteish Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul as hosts.
The IIFA Awards are being held in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Miral.
JK Rowling’s Instagram story mocking Pedro Pascal’s criticismInstagram Screengrab
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.