THE third instalment of an action franchise, which has spawned a Bollywood spy universe with spinoff films Pathaan and War, returned to the big screen after two previously successful outings.
Salman Khan reprises his role of Indian super spy Tiger, and Katrina Kaif once again plays his Pakistani secret agent wife Zoya. This time around the deadly duo is plunged into another cross-border drama, which sees them battle against a rogue ex-Pakistani secret agent trying to overthrow his own government, and ultimately destroy India.
After a decent enough set-up, the big-budget action movie starts to unravel with a stretched-out story containing many elements that have been seen before. By trying to follow a formula and story elements that have worked previously, Tiger 3 turns out to be a lesser copy of better films.
What keeps you engaged are the eye-catching action sequences that pop up at regular intervals. This includes some great fight scenes and a cameo from Shah Rukh Khan, reprising his Pathaan role, which ends up being a major highlight of the movie. Trying to keep it afloat with the many action sequences means Tiger 3 has very little to offer in terms of story and is around 20 minutes too long.
Both Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are not really known for their acting skills, so they just go through the motions. The supporting cast, including a decent turn from Emraan Hashmi as the villain, deliver relatively strong performances. There are some eye-catching locations, but very little in terms of music. Ultimately, this is a movie that will appeal to die-hard fans of the lead stars. Others will see that Tiger 3 has been eclipsed by the year’s two biggest Bollywood action blockbusters Pathaan and Jawan.
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.