Shoojit Sircar’s Sardar Udham starring Vicky Kaushal was all set to release in theatres. But, due to the pandemic, the movie has now got a direct-to-digital release on Amazon Prime Video.
The film is a biopic on Sardar Udham Singh (played by Kaushal). It showcases his story that how he became one of the Indian freedom fighters, and how and why he assassinated Michael O'Dwyer (Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, British India between 1913 and 1919).
We all have read, heard, and watched (in movies) about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place in Amritsar, India, on 13 April 1919. Sircar’s movie is mainly based on the horrific incident, but to make it a biopic, he has put in a lot of detailing about Singh.
The movie’s runtime is of 2 hours 42 minutes (162 minutes), and when you make such a long film, you need to make it interesting to keep the viewers hooked till the end. The pace of Sardar Udham is very slow, and there’s a lot of back and forth happening in the movie. So, you need to watch it carefully to understand what’s going on. Also, the screenplay and the narration aren’t up to the mark to keep us hooked for 112 minutes.
But, Sircar and his team of writers (Ritesh Shah and Shubhendu Bhattacharya) have followed the famous saying ‘save the best for last'. The last 50 minutes of the film are amazing and it takes the movie to another level.
It is clearly one of the best climaxes we have seen this year. The way Sircar has narrated the whole Jallianwala Bagh massacre, it will give you goosebumps and even get tears in your eyes.
Talking about performances, Vicky Kaushal should be ready to take his second National Award. What a brilliant act by him! Wherever the movie falters, it’s Kaushal who saves it with his performance. Even supporting actors, Amol Parashar, Banita Sandhu, Shaun Scott, Stephen Hogan, and Kirsty Averton are damn good in their respective roles.
Overall, Sarda Udham could have been a better film if Sircar decided to trim it a bit and make it short and crisp. However, the last 50 minutes of the movie and Kaushal’s performance save this biopic. So, you can watch it once.
Ratings: 3/5
Watch the trailer here…
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.