Two Bollywood films have been shortlisted for India’s official entry to the 94th Academy Awards. Vicky Kaushal’s Sardar Udham (2021) and Vidya Balan’s Sherni (2021), have been included in the list of 14 films, from which the best one will be sent as India’s official entry to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. Both films had their direct-to-digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video this year, bypassing theatrical release due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, Sardar Udham is a biographical historical drama film based on the life of Udham Singh, a revolutionary freedom fighter highly known for assassinating Michael O'Dwyer in London to avenge the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar. National Film Award-winning actor Vicky Kaushal plays the titular role in the film. Sardar Udham premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 16th October and received an overwhelming response from critics and audiences alike.
Sherni, on the other hand, revolves around man-animal conflicts. National Film Award-winning actress Vidya Balan plays the role of a forest officer in the film. Directed by Amit Masurkar, Sherni also features Sharat Saxena, Mukul Chaddha, Vijay Raaz, Ila Arun, Brijendra Kala, and Neeraj Kabi in significant characters.
In addition to Sardar Udham and Sherni, Malayalam film Nayattu (2021) and Tamil film Mandela (2021) are also in the nominations race.
A panel of 15 judges is going to watch 14 films at Bijoli cinema in Bhowanipore, Kolkata, over the next few days to shortlist India’s official entry to the Oscars 2022.
The 94th Academy Awards will honour the best films that have been released since March 1, 2021. The official ceremony will take place at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California on March 27, 2022.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.