ZEE5, one of the leading homegrown OTT platforms in India, has dropped the trailer of their upcoming romantic film, titled Bamfaad. The movie marks the acting debut of Aditya Rawal, the son of veteran actors Paresh Rawal and Swaroop Sampat. Playing the female lead opposite him will be actress Shalini Pandey who shot to fame after the riotous success of her Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017) opposite Vijay Deverakonda.
Set in the city of Allahabad against a romantic volatile backdrop, Bamfaad promises to bring an unusual yet raw and edgy love story to the fore. The trailer starts by focusing on the crackling chemistry between Neelam & Nasir with a beautiful romantic track in the background. The two then witness themselves in a brawl with Jigar when the scenario turns volatile and tests their love. Nasir’s closing lines in the trailer will leave you asking for more.
If you are wondering what does Bamfaad mean, it is a North Indian slang for an explosion, which is a perfect terminology to allude to the lead pair. In addition to Aditya Rawal and Shalini Pandey, the film also stars Vijay Varma and Jatin Sarna in important roles. Presented by Anurag Kashyap, Bamfaad marks the directorial debut of Ranjan Chandel.
Talking about the film, Chandel had earlier said, "Bamfaad is a heartfelt script to be brought to life on the screens. Aditya and Shalini are the perfect match for the characters we envisioned. I still remember, the casting director Taran Bajaj and I reached out to many experienced actors as well but Aditya and Shalini just made it feel apt and looked refreshing together. While we are currently living in challenging times with the pandemic, I feel like releasing this film on a digital platform like ZEE5 will give it the reach it deserves. This film is made with a lot of love and will touch many hearts."
Produced by JAR Pictures and Shaika Films, Bamfaad is scheduled for its grand premiere on 10th April, exclusively on ZEE5, the largest creator of Original content in India.
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.