By: Mohnish Singh
Abundantia Entertainment, the production house behind such notable films as Airlift (2016), Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), Shakuntala Devi (2020), and successful original streaming shows like Breathe (2018) and Breathe: Into The Shadows (2020), has optioned the rights to adapt best-selling Indian author Ashwin Sanghi’s book Keepers Of The Kalachakra into a major, multi-season series. The book tells an awe-inspiring tale of men who guard the ‘Kalachakra’ or The Wheel of Time and overlaps quantum theory with spirituality.
Talking about the collaboration, Vikram Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Abundantia Entertainment, says, “I am thrilled to have this opportunity presented to us to adapt such a spectacular work of fiction into a series at Abundantia Entertainment. Keepers Of The Kalachakra has been a fascinating read and is one of my personal favourites. We are deep admirers of Ashwin’s writing and the worlds that he creates with his unique stories. We are constantly on the look-out for disruptive and evocative stories and storytellers and there couldn’t be a better example of our content philosophy than this collaboration with Ashwin.”
Author Ashwin Sanghi says, “I am very excited to collaborate with Abundantia Entertainment and Vikram, in particular, to take my novel to the next level with a series adaptation. I have truly enjoyed all the exciting work that Abundantia Entertainment has been up to in its young journey and have been entertained by the amazing films and shows it has produced. Keepers Of The Kalachakra is a cutting-edge thriller that explores the overlap between quantum theory and spirituality and I‘m truly excited that this story will come alive on millions of screens soon through Abundantia.”
Shikhaa Sharma, Head Creative & Development, Abundantia Entertainment added, “It’s a wonderful time for the team at Abundantia Entertainment as we bring more and more unique stories to life and take them to viewers across screens. Our recent work like Shakuntala Devi and Breathe: Into The Shadows has strongly resonated with fans all over the world and we have an exciting lineup for 2021 and beyond with creators like Anu Menon, Tanuja Chandra, Amit Masurkar, Mayank Sharma, Vishal Furia, and Suresh Triveni. The adaptation of Ashwin’s amazing book will certainly be the icing on this cake.”
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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.