The latest offering from Rajshri, one of the most respected film production houses in India, promises to warm our hearts this winter by taking us to the Himalayas.
Uunchai is the story of friendship, adventure, and reaching one’s own heights in the course of life. The story tackles many aspects of life that we all will experience at some stage, whether it’s the challenges of getting older, a love lost, marriage, children, or one’s public persona versus the real person.
Presenting relationships within a family and how to live with dignity, understanding, love, and respect is nothing new for Sooraj Barjatya, that’s what his films are all about. However, he moves out of his comfort zone for Uunchai. He has shot in outdoor locations such as Nepal, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Barjatya is more discerning of family dynamics in the present day. Moving on from the big, extended family drama, Barjatya shows that family can come in smaller denominations. Family can also be a group of friends and all the challenges that come with those relationships.
Although this is not a love story, it is a story of love - love and romance of a couple in a long-term marriage, love for parents, love for children, love between friends, love for nature, a love affair with the great mountains.
Barjatya peels away the layers and shows us the unhealthy, arrogant, negative aspects of intertwined relationships, but that by being true and honest, first with oneself and then with others, we can respect ourselves and be respected by others.
With Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Neena Gupta, Sarika, and Parineeti Chopra, the cast is a powerhouse of talent.
Barjatya has drawn the best performances from this stellar cast.
The soundtrack is by Amit Trivedi, lyrics are by Irshad Kamil, and background score by George Joseph.
The cinematography, visuals and digital effects are lush, sharp and sleek, as is the editing. It makes watching the magnificent scenes of the cities of India, the road trip and the Himalayan range a true pleasure and so real. One feels as if we are living this journey with the characters.
The song ‘ye jivan hain’, from the 1972 Rajshri film Piya Ka Ghar, starring Jaya Bhaduri, plays on many occasions during the film, as if to signify that we may not have all the answers in life for situations that occur, but this is life and we must face our apprehensions.
Barjatya says he feels a responsibility to bring stories to audiences that will enlighten, entertain and encourage love and peace among all, without causing offence to anyone. He lives by his late grandfather Tarachand Barjatya’s motto of reaching the heights of love and the depths of relationships with respect and dignity. This ethos is being passed on to the next generation of Barjatyas who will carry the renowned, respected, and revered mantle of Rajshri Film Productions. Avnish Barjatya, son of Sooraj Barjatya is the one to look out for. He is set to make his directorial debut in the coming year, under the loving, watchful eye of his father.
While many of us may not be able to climb the Himalayas, we all have our own Himalayan journey of life that we need to conquer. Watch Uunchai and be inspired.
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.