Renowned filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s upcoming film The Kashmir Files makes India proud at the global level on Republic Day as it dominates Times Square in New York.
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri feels honoured and privileged that his hugely-anticipated film The Kashmir Fileshas become the first one to dominate the prestigious Times Square tower in New York on the auspicious occasion of India’s Republic Day.
Sharing this news on social media, the proud filmmaker wrote, “HISTORIC. #TheKashmirFiles at Times Square, Manhattan. A matter of honour and pride as for the first time any film has been advertised at the world’s most expensive site by the fans and supporters led by @kp_global”.
Vivek informs, “The film was supposed to release on 26th January on Republic Day but it got postponed because of Covid. But the fans and supporters of this film decided that they must advertise it on Times Square – World’s most expensive and prestigious advertising site and they raised their own funds and did it, led by the global Kashmiri pandits diaspora. It’s a matter of honour and pride for India and every single Indian because the issue of Kashmir genocide is now being mainstreamed just by the fans and supporters.”
Both Vivek and his actor wife Pallavi Joshi were stationed in the USA for over a month-long schedule for the special screenings of The Kashmir Files across different cities. From being a part of ‘The Peace March’ (that started from Mahatma Gandhi statue to Martin Luther’s memorial) to delivering impactful speeches at various prestigious institutes across the USA, Vivek and Pallavi are elated about the humongous and heartfelt response coming their way during the movie screenings.
After garnering praises for his last critically-acclaimed film The Tashkent Files, which went on to win the prestigious National Award beginning this year, ZEE Studios and writer-director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri have collaborated again to present yet another hard-hitting film, The Kashmir Files.
Living up to its title, The Kashmir Files is a true story, based on video interviews of the first-generation victims of The Kashmir Genocide of the Kashmiri Pandit Community. It’s a heart-wrenching narrative of the pain, suffering, struggle, and trauma of Kashmiri pandits and questions eye-opening facts about democracy, religion, politics, and humanity.
Written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, the exodus drama features a stellar cast of actors including Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar, Pallavi Joshi, and Chinmay Mandlekar.
It is produced by ZEE Studios and Tej Narayan Agarwal, Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi, and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri.
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.