By: Mohnish Singh
Though the Coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on almost all types of businesses, the one industry that witnessed a meteoric rise in its popularity and reach was streaming media. Ever since the pandemic engulfed the whole world in its claws around March 2020, the digital space has been the go-to medium for a number of filmmakers across the world, to premiere their projects and reach their target audience.
In India, several high-profile films have had their direct-to-digital premieres ever since cinemas across the country shuttered in the wake of the Coronavirus-induced lockdown. Though theatres have now opened their doors to the audience, people are yet to show the same kind of excitement and enthusiasm for movie outings as they did in pre-Covid times.
Several filmmakers are still choosing digital platforms over theatres and some are busy making grand projects exclusively for streaming media players. Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, who has previously helmed a couple of hugely successful projects for the web including Sacred Games (2018), has begun preparation for his next digital show.
A leading entertainment portal reports that Motwane has chosen to take a closer look at how Bollywood functioned from the ’40s to the ’80s. The well-known filmmaker has even finalised the lead cast for the upcoming web-show titled Stardust.
The same portal goes on to report that Aditi Rao Hydari, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Aparshakti Khurana have been roped in to play pivotal parts in the show. If all goes well, the team will begin production in March.
More details on the forthcoming series are expected to arrive soon. Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.