By: Mohnish Singh
Toplined by Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Laal Singh Chaddha is one of the hotly anticipated films of 2021. The comedy-drama is the official adaptation of Tom Hank’s much-loved Hollywood classic Forrest Gump (1994).
As per the latest updates, Khan is gearing up to shoot the final schedule of Laal Singh Chaddha between May-June in Kargil. The team is waiting for the snow in Kargil to melt for a hassle-free shoot.
“The team is waiting for the snow to melt so that the team can go ahead and shoot the Kargil war sequence in the month of May-June. This sequence is of great importance to the film's plot,” a source in the know informs a publication.
Laal Singh Chaddha, which started rolling in 2019, is being directed by Advait Chandan. Chandan made his directorial debut with the multiple award-winning film Secret Superstar (2017), starring Aamir Khan and Zaira Wasim.
Apart from playing the male lead in the Hindi adaptation of the Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump, Aamir Khan is also producing the project under his production house Aamir Khan Productions.
“Aamir, who is known to be a perfectionist, has made Laal Singh Chaddha his passion. What is more, he is even looking into the edit and backend work of the film himself. He is completely focused on the film and has decided to switch off his mobile phone until the film hits the theatres, enabling him to concentrate on the film a hundred per cent,” adds the source.
Laal Singh Chaddha debuts in theatres on Christmas 2021. The film was earlier scheduled to hit the marquee on Christmas 2020. However, since its shoot got delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the makers pushed it back to Christmas 2021.
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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.