Alia Bhatt starrer Darlings will hit the silver screen on August 5. Ahead of its release, the film is receiving major criticism on social media. Twitter on Thursday remained dominated by tweets under #BoycottDarlings and #BoycottAliaBhatt.
Tweeple are blasting and disapproving of the film and calling it out for promoting domestic violence against men.
Everyone should #BoycottAliaBhatt for making a misandrist movie like Darlings. For bollywood, domestic violence on men is a matter of joke. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/o5aeWz7ax5
Darlings’ trailer was dropped on July 25. From its trailer, one could guess how the film’s trajectory goes from light-hearted comedy to a dark comedy which touches upon the subject of domestic abuse.
A section of social media users is calling for boycotting Darlings citing the promotion of domestic violence against men. As burdening as these allegations are, it is quite not the reality of the film.
The plot of Darlings is set inside a premise of how the wife, played by Alia Bhatt, of a volatile and alcoholic husband, played by Vijay Varma, tries to reform her husband’s insensitive behaviour, until one day she had enough, as she seeks revenge.
The storyline of the film can be anything but promoting domestic violence against men. At best, it can be critiqued for trivialising the reality of women who go through similar predicaments but don’t have the option to take similar stringent actions.
Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani starter Kabir Singh, which did quite a number at the box office, created a massive controversy during the time of its release. The film was accused of encouraging toxic masculinity and sexism in society. Some might also suggest that this portrayal of a woman seeking revenge in Darlings is quite similar to Kabir Singh.
However, the dynamics of both the characters are dissimilar to the point that it doesn’t actually need articulate reasoning for anyone to guess the difference.
Though it is important to comprehend that the actions taken by the lead in Kabir Singh were due to the complexity of the character, which could arguably be a celebrated reflection of hypermasculinity in society. It is quite contrary to the role played by Alia in Darlings.
Alia’s character doesn’t adopt a preceded mindset of every woman, her character only explores the extremes of a woman’s mindset who is responding to domestic abuse which sets the two characters apart as polar opposites in terms of dynamics.
The character played by Shahid Kapoor in Kabir Singh is an oppressor whereas Alia Bhatt’s character Badru is the one who is being oppressed. This is what would have happened to Preeti in Kabir Singh if she had enough of Kabir’s hypermasculinity way of life.
Nepotism hate
The call for a boycott by the so-called cinema lovers can be speculated to be fueled by the political bias against Bollywood that has recently settled into the country. The vilification of Bollywood, which tangibly came into play after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, began a reservation against star kids who profits off by being a product of nepotism.
Alia Bhatt, the daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan, also faced a lot of criticism for being a star kid. She, however, managed to recede the tag through her incredible performances in films like Gangubai Kathiawad, Gullyboy, Highway, Raazi, and others.
Bhatt troop and their political opinions
Another faction that has reservations against Alia and her family is the ones whose political ideologies do not align with the Bhatts. Alia and her family have had a history of speaking their mind and sharing unpopular opinions on several occasions.
Alia, during the Police Crackdown on the students of Jamia Millia Islamia, posted a question on social media urging her friends from the fraternity to tweet or message Prime Minister Narendra Modi by condemning the actions taken by the police.
Soni Razdan had also once opined how she will believe she would be better off living in Pakistan, which was said in light of the situation in India.
Alia Bhatt and Soni Razdan have a British citizenship. The mother-daughter duo cannot vote during elections in India. Earlier, Alia has expressed about hoping to have a dual citizenship as she would love to vote.
Both Alia and Soni were brutually trolled over their citizenship back then.
Urging people to vote against hate has nothing to do with citizenship and everything to do with being a human being. We are all human beings first and citizens of the world we live in. Secularism and democratic principles are values and it’s those that I stand for. #VoteOutHate
The highly-anticipated film Darlings marks Alia Bhatt’s debut as a producer and her second collaboration with Vijay Varma after Gully Boy. Are you rooting for Darlings?
Naga Chaitanya’s NC24 shoot begins, makers share BTS video
The cast includes Laapataa Ladies breakout star Sparsh Shrivastava in a pivotal role, with speculation swirling around Meenakshi Chaudhary as the potential female lead.
Naga Chaitanya’s fans are buzzing with excitement as the actor officially launched the shooting of his much-anticipated project, tentatively titled NC24, a mythical thriller helmed by Virupaksha director Karthik Varma Dandu.
On Saturday, Chaitanya unveiled a captivating behind-the-scenes video titled “The Excavation Begins,” offering a tantalizing peek into the meticulous preparation behind this ambitious film, set to explore uncharted, rugged terrains and mystical realms.
The BTS video, shared by the film’s makers, showcases Chaitanya’s deep involvement in the project. Sporting a striking new look tailored for the thriller, the actor is seen engaging in intense discussions with Dandu, absorbing the director’s vision.
A standout moment features the duo examining a detailed model of deep caves, hinting at the enigmatic, otherworldly setting NC24 will unveil. The footage also highlights the elaborate production efforts, from constructing expansive outdoor sets to fine-tuning logistical details, underscoring the film’s grand scale.
Chaitanya’s hands-on approach, evident from the project’s ideation phase, has heightened anticipation. The makers’ caption fueled the hype, stating, “Years of ideation. Months of preparation. Endless rehearsals. This is just a glimpse of the storm brewing! #NC24 The Excavation Begins. Brace for a mythical thriller like never before.” Fans flooded social media with praise, eager for a cinematic experience that promises to push boundaries.
Backed by producer BVSN Prasad and Sukumar under SVCC and Sukumar Writings, NC24 is poised as a visually stunning mystical thriller. With music by Ajaneesh Loknath, the film aims to present Chaitanya in a bold, transformative role.
The cast includes Laapataa Ladies breakout star Sparsh Shrivastava in a pivotal role, with speculation swirling around Meenakshi Chaudhary as the potential female lead.
The Indian film industry’s growing appetite for genre-blending narratives, blending folklore with high-stakes drama, positions NC24 as a potential game-changer. As production accelerates, Chaitanya’s venture into uncharted cinematic territory signals a thrilling new chapter for the actor and his fans.
Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood’s reigning superstar, is set to make history as the first Indian male actor to grace the Met Gala red carpet on May 5, 2025, at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Confirming weeks of fervent speculation, the actor will don a creation by India’s premier designer, Sabyasachi, for the prestigious fashion event, sending fans and fashion enthusiasts into a frenzy.
The confirmation came via an Instagram post from Diet Sabya, an anonymous fashion watchdog account, which declared, “National headlines. Social media in chaos. Entertainment portals buzzing. We can confirm: Shah Rukh Khan, India’s unrivaled icon, will debut at the Met Gala 2025 in Sabyasachi, India’s top luxury brand. Were we ever in doubt? See you on the carpet!” The announcement follows an earlier April teaser from the same account, hinting at a monumental collaboration between “the greatest Bollywood superstar” and “the biggest designer of our generation.” The post described the moment as “history in the making,” igniting widespread anticipation.
Khan’s appearance marks a significant milestone for Indian representation at the Met Gala, an event synonymous with high fashion and cultural influence. This year’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, draws inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The exhibition will trace the evolution of Black menswear, from 18th-century European dandyism to its modern global impact. The dress code, “Tailored for You,” invites attendees to interpret this rich cultural narrative, and Khan’s Sabyasachi ensemble is expected to blend Indian craftsmanship with the theme’s sartorial elegance.
The Met Gala’s global viewership, amplified by social media, has made it a cultural touchstone, with recent years seeing increased diversity in attendees. Khan’s debut, alongside Sabyasachi’s signature aesthetic, is poised to spotlight Indian artistry on a world stage. As anticipation builds for his red-carpet moment, the collaboration promises to fuse Bollywood charisma with high fashion, cementing Khan’s status as a global cultural ambassador.
Vikrant Massey continues to captivate audiences with his versatile performances, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s most dynamic actors. Following the resounding success of 12th Fail and his compelling portrayal of a journalist in 2024’s The Sabarmati Report, Massey is gearing up for a transformative role as spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the upcoming global thriller White.
This ambitious project, helmed by producers Siddharth Anand and Mahaveer Jain, aims to bring an inspiring chapter of modern history to the big screen.
The film, inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s life, delves into a lesser-known story of peace-building, highlighting how ancient Indian wisdom helped resolve one of the world’s longest-running conflicts. Set to begin filming in July, White is in advanced pre-production, with preparations underway in Colombia.
The production will feature an international cast and crew from Los Angeles, reflecting its global ambitions. The narrative promises to blend high-stakes drama with themes of humanity and reconciliation, offering a fresh perspective on peacekeeping efforts.
Massey is undergoing an extensive transformation to embody Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, immersing himself in the spiritual leader’s mannerisms and philosophy. Sources reveal that the actor has met Ravi Shankar to study his body language, ensuring an authentic portrayal.
The film will be shot in Hindi, English, and Spanish, with plans to dub it into additional languages to reach a worldwide audience. This multilingual approach aligns with the growing global appetite for stories that transcend cultural boundaries, as seen in recent international co-productions.
Directed by ad-filmmaker Montoo Bassi and co-produced by Peacecraft Pictures, White is poised to be a cinematic milestone. The project underscores Massey’s ability to tackle diverse roles, from grounded dramas to expansive thrillers.
Industry trends indicate a rising demand for biopics and socially relevant narratives, with audiences gravitating toward stories that blend entertainment with purpose. As White prepares to spotlight a pivotal moment in history, Massey’s portrayal is expected to resonate deeply, further elevating his stature in global cinema.
APN News is today the most watched and the most credible and respected news channel in India. APN has been at the forefront of every single news revolution. The channel is being recognized for its in-depth, analytical reportage and hard hitting discussions on burning issues; without any bias or vested interests.
