By: Mohnish Singh
Lyca Productions, one of the leading production houses in Tamil cinema, known for delivering one mega-budget film after another including 2.0 (2018), Kaappaan (2019), and the upcoming Ponniyin Selvan, is gearing up to set foot in Hindi cinema.
If reports are to be believed, Abhishek Bachchan has been roped in to star in their first Hindi production. Junior Bachchan, who received rave reviews for his debut web-show Breathe: Into the Shadows (2020), will play the male lead in the untitled film. The search for the female lead is still on.
Spilling some more beans on the forthcoming project, a source in the know informs an entertainment portal, “The team had been planning to make their foray into Hindi films for some time, ever since Akshay Kumar and Rajinikanth starrer 2.0 released. They are looking at developing projects that cater to a pan-Indian audience. Lyca Productions has roped in Abhishek Bachchan as the male lead for their next. It is a taut thriller that has been in the works for some time now.”
The source goes on to add that the upcoming project is set to be the biggest film Abhishek Bachchan has ever starred in. “When Abhishek was approached for the same, he loved the whole concept and idea behind the project. It is going to be one of Abhishek’s biggest films to date as the makers plan to mount it on a huge scale. It is tentatively titled 65 Karats, but that has not been locked,” concludes the source.
Bachchan is currently waiting for the release of his two films, Ludo and The Big Bull. Helmed by well-known filmmaker Anurag Basu, Ludo is an anthology film, also starring Rajkummar Rao, Aditya Roy Kapur, Pankaj Tripathi, Sanya Malhotra, and Fatima Sana Shaikh in important roles. It is scheduled to premiere on 12th November on Netflix. The Big Bull, on the other hand, is a biographical crime film, directed by Kookie Gulati. It premieres on Disney+ Hotstar.
The Dhoom (2004) star is also working on Diya Annapurna Ghosh’s upcoming crime thriller Bob Biswas, a spin-off of Sujoy Ghosh’s successful thriller Kahaani (2012). He is expected to start shooting for the Lyca Productions’ film after wrapping up Bob Biswas.
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.