The coronavirus outbreak and lockdown have surely changed a lot of things for the Bollywood industry. The theatres have been shut from the past three months, and it is not yet known when the cinemas will reopen.
During this period, a lot of filmmakers have decided to release their movies directly on the OTT platforms. We have already seen Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Gulabo Sitabo on Amazon Prime Video, and soon Vidya Balan starrer Shakuntala Devi will also release on the OTT platform.
Well now, not one or two, but seven films are slated to release on Disney+ Hotstar in the next three months. Here’s the list of the films we will get to see on the OTT platform…
Dil Bechara
Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film Dil Bechara will be released on Disney+ Hotstar on 24th July 2020. The makers had made an announcement about it a few days ago. However, fans of the actor are upset as they want to watch their favourite star’s last film on the big screen.
Laxmmi Bomb
From the day lockdown has been announced we have been hearing that Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani starrer Laxmmi Bomb will release directly on a digital platform. And now, it’s confirmed that the film will stream on Disney+ Hotstar soon.
Bhuj: The Pride Of India
Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt, and Nora Fatehi starrer Bhuj: The Pride Of India was slated to hit the screens on 15th August 2020. But now, the movie will get a direct-to-digital release on Disney+ Hotstar.
The Big Bull
Abhishek Bachchan and Ileana D’Cruz starrer The Big Bull is slated to release in October this year. However, it looks like the makers don’t want to wait and see the situation till October as they have decided to release the film on Disney+ Hotstar. The Big Bull is produced by Ajay Devgn.
Sadak 2
Mahesh Bhatt is making his comeback as a director after a gap of two decades with the film Sadak 2. We all were excited to watch the film on the big screen. However, the movie, which stars Alia Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt, Sanjay Dutt, and Aditya Roy Kapur, will release on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar.
Khuda Haafiz
Vidyut Jammwal and Shivaleeka Oberoi sarrer Khuda Haafiz will also get a direct-to-digital release on Disney+ Hotstar. The movie is a romantic-thriller and it has been shot in Uzbekistan.
Lootcase
Kunal Kemmu starrer Lootcase was slated to release in October last year. But the release date was postponed. However, now the film will get a release on Disney+ Hotstar. It also stars Ranvir Shorey and Rasika Dugal.
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.