Abhimanyu Dassani, the son of former Bollywood actor Bhagyashree, made his acting debut with RSVP Movies’ Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. Though the film did not leave the cash registers jingling, people appreciated Dasaani’s performance and hard work that he put into perfecting his character in it.
After Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, Abhimanyu Dassani is looking forward to his next film Nikamma. The movie is being helmed by Sabbir Khan, who launched Tiger Shroff with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment’s action entertainer Heropanti (2014). Just like Heropanti, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota is also a larger than life action entertainer mounted on a huge scale.
Since Nikamma features a slew of jaw-dropping action sequences, Abhimanyu Dassani headed off to Turkey to master hand to hand combat to perfect his part in the movie. The young actor returned just before the start of the first schedule of the film. A major chunk of action of the movie has recently been filmed in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Talking about the same, Abhimanyu tells an entertainment portal, “There is a lot of action in Nikamma. Sabbir sir and I both were keen that I do all the action and stunts myself. We wanted all the action sequences to look authentic. We decided that I should learn Capoeira before starting the shoot. We travelled to Turkey specially to learn this fighting form and it was an amazing experience. I trained with the armed forces there which were extremely engaging because it wasn’t just fancy film fighting, but moreover real-life protection and takedowns.”
Jointly bankrolled by Sony Pictures International Productions and Sabbir Khan Films, Nikamma also features Shirley Setia and gorgeous Shilpa Shetty on its star cast. The action entertainer is scheduled to roll into theatres on 5th June, 2020.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.