By: Mohnish Singh
After facing an inordinate delay in its release, Yash Raj Films’ much-awaited thriller Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (SAPF) is finally set to enter theatres on March 19. But before that, the team has decided to unveil a new trailer tomorrow which will give more glimpses into the world of the crime thriller.
Filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee says, “SAPF has taken so long to come to the screen that it has become my other Khosla (Ka Ghosla, 2006). Audiences and filmmakers all over the world have had an eventful past year. It's only when something is taken away from us do we realise the true value of it.”
He goes on to add, “I wanted SAPF to be a film that couples, families, gangs of friends would watch in the theatres and then go out for dinner to argue about it! Now, that we will be one of the first films to open theatrically I am waiting to watch if that happens or the audience passes the genre-bending and independent-minded to go for the summer blockbusters that are waiting for us to be the cannon fodder and then come in and wave their victory flags!”
Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar stars Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra in lead roles. The film was originally slated to release in 2020. However, the makers had to push its release due to the Coronavirus-induced lockdown.
Now that theatres in India have resumed operations at full capacity, Banerjee is hopeful that the film will entertain audiences as they return to normalcy after living a year in lockdown. “We are the only film in history perhaps to run a trailer for a year before the release! But there is a second trailer for those who want fresh insights into the crazy adventures of Sandy and Pinky. And I still want couples, families, and friends fighting about whose film it was - Sandy and Pinky - with masks on - at a theatre next door. I want all of us to be safe, be entertained, and reclaim a bit of our lost lives - like Sandy and Pinky in the film.”
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.