This week: Did a new Bollywood movie compare a bad relationship to the Holocaust? Hrithik Roshan as Bollywood Ken? & Who is the Brown Tristan Thompson in yet another cheating scandal?

— Rumneek

Hrithik Roshan: Bollywood Ken

Nothing says “Kenergy” like Hrithik Roshan’s character in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, with a suitable Barbie in Kareena Kapoor by his side.

Over the course of his career, this Bollywood heart throb has been cast in numerous action films, rightfully earning his spot among other action heroes in the industry.

But, despite his best efforts, his most beloved, fondly recalled films are always the ones in which he plays a supporting presence to the women in his life—the ones where his entire role is to look good, dance well, and charm the ladies.

Like Ken.

From K3G, to Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, to Mujhse Dosti Karoge—Roshan absolutely crushes it at playing the “guy next door.”

And obviously, his looks help him play the part. and At 49-years-old, Roshan is still in immaculate shape, with no signs of slowing down.

So if there is a brown Barbie, is it Roshan who should get the call?

Who has your vote for Brown Barbie and Brown Ken?

Bollywood Film Makes Insensitive Comments About Holocaust

What is all the commotion surrounding Bawaal?

Bollywood movies are no stranger to controversy, but one of its latest offerings has hit a new low. Marketed as a love story set against the backdrop of a European vacation, Bawaal, which recently released on Amazon Prime Video, follows Ajay and Nisha, an Indian middle class couple who marry despite having nothing in common.

The couple takes a trip to select cities in Europe under the pretense of seeing the sights significant in World War II for Ajay, a teacher, to educate his students.

Their travels and the context of World War II are used as a metaphor for their struggling relationship.

If the premise itself sounds troublesome, the dialogues are no better. Nisha’s statements of “We are all too a little like Hitler, aren’t we?” and “Every relationship goes through their Auschwitz” in the film have caused audiences to reel back with disgust.

Scenes depict Nisha and Ajay in a gas chamber surrounded by other prisoners, a disturbing call back to the horrifying crimes perpetrated by the Nazis against Jews, Romani gypsies, and other minorities at that time.

The entire film is a tone-deaf attempt at relating a day-to-day struggle to one of the biggest genocides in human history. While film is a flexible media that can portray people’s experiences in a variety of ways, Bawaal’s attempt to use World War II and the Holocaust as a coming of age tool is absolutely abysmal.

Zayn Malik Drops New Single

Former boy band heartthrob turned quintessential bad boy Zayn Malik is releasing new music this month, and before he does, he is giving more insight into the man behind the music.

Malik’s debut 2016 album “Mind of Mine” solidified his online persona: a heavily tattooed, brooding bad boy who was now fresh off leaving a wholesome boy band that garnered the attention of young fans everywhere.

Throughout the years, Zayn has maintained an elusive digital presence, making it easier for people to project and stereotype him as whatever they wanted him to be.

He was quiet, serious, and “an outsider” – perhaps this characterization came from the fact that he looked different than the rest of his white bandmates, or maybe it came from the fact that he stayed relatively away from the spotlight.

But like it is with most people, there is always more than meets the eye. And for Zayn, little clues were left in his music.

Born to a Pakistani father and a British mother, Zayn’s music contains visible elements of his Desi identity—whether it’s a song entirely in Urdu or vocals featuring South Asian runs or ragas like on “Back to Life” from his 2018 album “Icarus Falls.”

On “Mind of Mine,” he softly croons in Urdu on “INTERMISSION: fLoWer” as he poetically compares love to a plant. It’s a brief interlude but gives listeners a little more insight into his life.

“Icarus Falls” also showcased Zayn’s ability to build a narrative as he compared love to the Greek myth of Icarus who, in an attempt to escape, flew too close to the sun and died in the sea.

Despite what the media speculates about Zayn’s life including the infamous 2021 altercation he had with his then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid’s mother, it’s clear that there is a lot they got wrong.

Recently, Zayn sat down for a rare interview with Alex Cooper, host of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. He spoke in depth about his introverted tendencies. He shared that he enjoys reading poetry and playing music alone in his room – definitely not what is expected of a mysterious “bad boy.”

Zayn’s 2021 album “Nobody is Listening” continued to showcase his softer side featuring even more acoustic ballads.

On “Tightrope,” his vocals float and echo over the steady guitar as he sings in Urdu again, quoting “Chaudhvin Ka Chand” by the iconic Indian singer Mohammed Rafi.

His latest single “Love Like This” may once again prove to fans and the media that he isn’t really who we think he is.

Either way, it’s clear that Zayn isn’t your typical superstar, not because he is “mysterious” but because he truly isn’t here to play the game. He just wants to make music and spend time with his daughter (and chickens).

Is Amir Khan the brown Tristan Thompson?

Former world boxing champion and reality star Amir Khan was in the headlines this week—once again, for all the wrong reasons.

Amir Khan, who has previously been accused of cheating on his wife Faryal Makhdoom over 9 times, has yet again been accused of sending racy text messages to an influencer behind his wife’s back.

A model and influencer took to TikTok to share her story about inappropriate text messages sent to her by Khan.

She alleges that Khan begged her for racy photos, and dismissed his marriage as simply a “business arrangement.”

(He has three children with his wife).

Now, Khan says he is seeking therapy to help him stop sexting other women.

Makdhoom also issued a public statement saying she “refuses to let her marriage play out publicly.”

But it looks like her man didn’t think about that.

Is Khan the Brown Tristan Thompson?

📣 Other News:

• Diljit Dosanjh links with A Boogie With Da Hoodie.

• Manish Malhotra’s 2023 Bridal Couture Fashion Show featuring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Kapoor.

• The highly anticipated “Summer High Festival” in Toronto gets cancelled without explanation.

• “Arranged Love” and E! Original Movie airs on July 30.

• India imposes major rice export ban, “triggering fears of further inflation on global food markets.”

Listen to the PopShift Playlist on Spotify.

• Watchlist: Hot Takes: Mindy Kaling is Not Problematic, You Are

• The Deodorant epidemic in India

• How much are people paying for rent in New York?

Writers: Nikita Satapathy, Saumya Monga & Rumneek Johal
Editor: Rumneek Johal