CANADIAN writer Sara Desai has made a name for herself with romantic comedy books The Marriage Game, The Dating Plan and The Singles Table. With her fourth book she adds an extra layer with an action-packed wedding heist.
Down on her luck Simi Chopra is unemployed again, drowning in debt and living in horrid conditions. When her best friend is accused of stealing a multimillion-dollar diamond necklace, she teams up with a mysterious stranger to steal the precious treasure back. Simi sees it as an opportunity to help clear her friend and get the large reward, so sets out to turn a group of wholly under-qualified strangers into an elite heist crew, to take the necklace from dangerous criminals at a high-society wedding.
Sara Desai
British film Polite Society showed that a highly implausible action caper set around a wedding can work and this book somehow manages to do the same. The author blends together various story troupes into a fast food novel that gives readers an entertaining cocktail of comedy, romance, a heist, quirky characters, and unexpected surprises.
What gives this book real entertainment value is just how unskilled the heist team is, which generates laughter and adds unpredictability to the plot. The other thing that works in favour of this book is unexpected characters that pop up and a free-flowing writing style that moves along at a brisk pace. Those who like more serious books with a realistic plot won’t appreciate this escapist book and will likely get annoyed by many of the farfetched ideas. There isn’t as much romance and chemistry between the two leads, either.
This book is ultimately for those who want to read something that isn’t particularly brain-taxing and will give them a quick fix of entertainment on the pages. Those who do like this book should find the author’s previous work.
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.