ZEE5 on Monday raised the curtain on the trailer of the upcoming Hindi film 14 Phere, which is set to premiere on the platform on July 23, 2021. Directed by Devanshu Singh and written by Manoj Kalwani, 14 Phere stars Vikrant Massey and Kriti Kharbanda in principal roles. The film has been produced by ZEE Studios.
If the trailer of 14 Phere is anything to go by, the film seems to have everything to put a wide smile on viewers’ faces in these trying times. It is filled with oodles of drama and chaos of a typical Indian wedding but multiplied by two. The film also features Gauahar Khan and Jameel Khan in important roles.
The two-and-a-half-minute trailer starts off with a sweet, romantic college love story, but takes a quirky turn as the lives of main characters, Sanjay (Massey) and Aditi (Kharbanda) get entangled in the family drama.
Talking about the film, Massey said, “This movie is a complete family entertainer x 2! It has all the elements of an Indian ‘shaadi’ – emotion, drama, romance, song and dance, comedy, family values and at the core of it – a couple madly in love! I fell in love with the script immediately and can’t wait for everyone to watch it on ZEE5! The trailer is just a glimpse into the madness!”
“Halfway through reading the script, I felt a range of emotions. I was so invested in Aditi and Sanjay and couldn't wait to know what could happen next. The intrigue I felt, reassured me that it was a kickass script and would make for a super entertaining movie! It’s not just another wedding film, that’s for sure and I can’t wait for the audiences to witness the magic that is 14 Phere! It will be the epitome of perfect naach, gaana and 2x the drama! 23rd July on ZEE5, you’re invited!”, shared Kharbanda.
“This is a close-knit fun family film where you will see that bonding and emotional values are very important. The film celebrates the institution of family and marriage but questions a few basic flaws in a reasonable way. We are not trying to make fun of traditions and customs; in fact, you can watch this film with your entire family, and I am sure you will have a good time. The trailer is just the beginning, you will witness the unexpected twists and turns only once you watch the film. 23rd July on ZEE5, block your date!”, director Devanshu Singh said.
14 Phere is set to premiere on July 23 on ZEE5.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.