Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Neena Gupta, and Sakshi Tanwar in principal roles, the upcoming Hindi film Dial 100 is headed to ZEE5 for its direct-to-digital premiere. Produced by Sony Pictures Films India and Alchemy Films, the suspense thriller film has been directed by Rensil D’Silva. D’Silva’s previous directorial credits include Kurbaan (2009) and Ungli (2014).
On Monday, ZEE5 unveiled the motion poster of the highly awaited film. If the first-look is anything to go by, Dial 100 is going to be a nail-biting, fast-paced thriller filled with a series of twists and turns. The film unfolds in one night where one call turns everyone’s lives upside down.
Talking about the film, Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global says, “We have lined up a fantastic slate of content this year for our viewers across the globe and our upcoming release, Dial 100 is key among them. A movie with a stellar cast and production team behind it, Dial 100 is sure to deliver a compelling narrative with noteworthy performances, and keep the viewers on the edge of their seats till the very end”
Vivek Krishnani, Managing Director, Sony Pictures Films India says, “Dial 100 is a film that echoes our vision to present fresh and unique content that connects with audiences. Rarely do we get to see a union of such gifted actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Neena Gupta and Sakshi Tanwar combined with the creative energies of Siddharth Malhotra and director Rensil D’Silva to create such an intelligent and thrilling movie. We are very happy to partner with ZEE5, which is a home for great content, for the world premiere of Dial 100.”
Producer Siddharth P Malhotra, Alchemy Films says, “We are excited and thrilled to partner with like-minded powerhouses like ZEE5 and Sony Pictures Film India and bring forth one of the most awaited movies of this year. The movie’s script was one of its most powerful elements, which has been executed even more beautifully by the cast and crew, taking the movie a notch up.”
Director Rensil D'Silva says, “Dial 100 is a fast-paced, edge of the seat, thriller film which unfolds in one night. This movie would not have been the same without the involvement of the powerhouse star cast and I am so glad that we were able to do this together. The movie with its many twists is sure to surprise the audience and keep them enthralled from start to end.”
Dial 100 will premiere soon on ZEE5.
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.