THE official remake of the acclaimed 2023 Gujarati film, Vash, was released in cinemas recently and will be available on a streaming site soon.
A couple with their two children go away for a holiday and encounter a stranger named Vanraj along the way. Vanraj turns up at the secluded farmhouse where they are staying, and it soon emerges that he has evil intentions.
The sinister individual starts using black magic to manipulate the teenage daughter, and what follows is a family trying to get themselves away from his clutches.
Shaitaan starts off relatively well as the tension starts to ratchet up with an unpredictable antagonist playing a deadly game with a terrified family. After a solid first half, the dark central premise soon starts to unravel as violence, rambling speeches and predictability overshadow everything else. The messy second half ends in a terrible climax.
The supernatural thriller fails to reach its potential because of poor direction and a screenplay that unravels into a confusing mess of awfulness. Vikas Bahl follows up last year’s biggest flop, Ganapath, with another effort that confirms his lack of talent as a director.
There is a great performance from R Madhavan in the villain’s role that keeps the audience engaged, but his character, like the central storyline, fails to meet its initial promise.
Janki Bodiwala reprises her role from the Gujarati original in her Hindi debut and delivers a solid effort. Ajay Devgn is in his element as the distraught father who is out of his depth, but is trying to save his family.
The strong performances can’t make up for a supernatural thriller that relies more on violence than any kind of clever jump scares. Shaitaan is a movie that ultimately leaves you frustrated.
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.