THE Bollywood cop universe, comprising films about crusading law-enforcement officers, was kickstarted by 2011 film Singham.
The newly released third instalment of that potboiler brings together those various police officers and adds new ones to the mix. When a dreaded terrorist is arrested by Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn), a psychotic member of his team plots revenge by going on a murderous rampage and kidnapping the fearless cop’s wife (Kareena Kapoor Khan). Singham embarks on a rescue mission with the help of an all-action dream team that includes DCP Shakti Shetty (Deepika Padukone), Satya (Tiger Shroff), Simmba (Ranveer Singh) and Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar).
Apart from overblown action and eye-catching star casts, the one constant of filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s movies has been poor writing that is so overcooked the story is burned to a cinder. This mega-budget movie is no different, as he unsuccessfully tries to connect the Ramayana to a modern-day action movie with parallels in the characters and storyline. That seemingly cynical ploy to cash in on the right-wing religious fervour in India results in a fractured film which is not as clever as perhaps the filmmaker or writing team think.
What remains is a series of overdone scenes that have been poorly stitched together. There is also headache-inducing background music and overacting on an epic scale from the huge star cast. Those who like escapist masala entertainers or are fans of the various cast members will overlook the many flaws and go along for the ride. There are some nice locations, a few eye-catching stunts, and a little comic relief. But that isn’t enough to save this bloated film from sinking and being a huge wasted opportunity. It comes across like a self-indulgent movie where stars get to play dressup as cops and do action scenes, without really thinking about the audience.
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.