Prime Video’s Hindi anthology, Unpaused: Naya Safar dropped just a week ago on the service. The anthology consists of five short films, directed by Ayappa KM, Nagraj Manjule, Ruchir Arun, Shikha Makan, and Nupur Asthana.
Each film delves into relatable challenges that the pandemic inflicted upon everyone across the globe. From stressing the need of embracing a positive outlook towards life, to hard-hitting stories, here are five reasons why you should watch Unpaused: Naya Safar this weekend.
Nagraj Manjule’s Hindi debut:
Marathi actor-director Nagraj Manjule makes his Hindi acting-direction debut with the short segment, titled Vaikunth. Manjule’s film is a dark and brutal truth about an unordinary covid hero - a crematorium worker. While a sense of darkness revolves throughout the course of the film, the end leaves on a note of hope and a lesson that everyone has to come to realise in the past two years - family is everything.
Watch it for Geetanjali:
In the segment titled War Room, Geetanjali Kulkarni wins heart as she acts behind a mask. In a 20-minute segment, Geetanjali, who plays a volunteer at Covid War Room, emotes the myriad of emotions that a Covid warrior goes through while hiding behind a face mask in most parts. Beautifully encapsulated by director Ayappa KM, War Room leaves you in awe with its crisp story and Geetanjali’s class apart act.
Relatable millennial couples:
Directed by Nupur Asthana, The Couple is a story about a millennial couple, whose life turns upside down when the wife is laid off from her job. The sweet and simple story takes us through the ups and downs in the life of a couple, as it takes us closer to the reality of a millennial couple stuck in the pandemic, juggling between working from home and working for him. The film stars Priyanshu Painyuli and Shreya Dhanwanthary.
Saqib’s slice-of-life film:
Ruchir Arun’s film, Teen Tigada, starring Saqib Saleem, Ashish Verma, and Sam Moham as three thieves who are holding out a big loot in an abandoned factory and can not go back to their homes because of the sudden lockdown in the state. The three thieves, who are in a foul mood for being stuck and unable to go home, turn into comrades and find ways to reunite with their loved ones and to be with them during the nationwide lockdown.
A heart-warming tale of mom’s love:
Shikha Makan’s story Gond Ke Laddu presents a heartwarming tale of a mom’s love as she learns new-age technology and online services to send out a courier to her daughter, who has just delivered a baby. A tale of a middle-aged woman, who is suspicious about the internet but still takes a step and puts her faith in the online services, understanding the need of the hour. The segment stars Neena Kulkarni, Darshana Rajendran, and Lakshvir Singh Saran.
With pandemic as a theme at its core, each film ends with a note of hope, emphasising holding on to hope, faith, and positivity.
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.