Early viewers of Ryan Gosling’s upcoming film The Fall Guy are expressing concerns about a particular joke in the movie that references the tumultuous relationship between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp.
Set to hit cinemas next month, The Fall Guy features Gosling in the role of Colt Seavers, a struggling stuntman on a mission to locate the missing lead actor from his ex-girlfriend's director’s blockbuster film. Alongside Gosling, the action-comedy boasts a star-studded cast including Emily Blunt, Teresa Palmer, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has been rumoured as the next James Bond.
Despite the film's release being a few weeks away, select critics and journalists who attended preview screenings have taken to Twitter to share their reactions. One scene, in particular, has garnered criticism for its reference to Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's highly publicised marriage and subsequent legal battles.
The controversial joke is delivered by Hannah Waddingham’s character as she enters a trailer post-fight, remarking, “It’s like Amber and Johnny were just in here,” alluding to the tumultuous nature of their relationship.
Some viewers found the joke distasteful, with one journalist expressing disappointment over the inclusion of domestic violence themes in a 2024 action-comedy. Another viewer remarked that the joke was unnecessary and disrupted their immersion in the film.
Fans of the actors and the film expressed similar sentiments, with some feeling let down by the choice to include the joke.
The relationship between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has been the subject of intense media scrutiny and legal battles in recent years. Depp lost a libel case against The Sun in 2020, where the court ruled in favor of the newspaper's characterisation of him as a "wife-beater." Depp later sued Heard for defamation in 2022, winning the case and being awarded significant damages.
The Fall Guy is scheduled for release in cinemas on May 2, 2024.
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.