By: Mohnish Singh
Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Alia Bhatt are yet to wrap up the shoot on their much-awaited film Gangubai Kathiawadi, but the duo has already locked their next project. Yes, you read that absolutely right!
According to reports, Bhansali and Bhatt will come together again after Gangubai Kathiawadi, for yet another period drama titled Heera Mandi. The project is said to be very close to the filmmaker who initially wanted to make it as a film. But now, it is being developed as a web-series.
Some reliable sources inform an entertainment portal that Bhansali has offered Alia Bhatt the role of one of the 10-12 female protagonists in his big-ticket streaming show Heera Mandi. The actress has agreed to play the part. Since Heera Mandi is a streaming show, her character in it will have ample room to bloom and breathe.
“Each of the female protagonists will have a well-defined long-running role with room for the character’s growth. Alia is going to be one of them,” a well-placed source informs the publication.
Now the question arises, will Alia Bhatt complete a hat-trick of films with Bhansali, as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Deepika Padukone have done before? The answer is, yes, because, after Gangubai Kathiawadi and Heera Mandi, the two will revive their shelved film Inshallah.
Inshallah was originally planned with Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt. The project received huge media attention after its formal announcement as it was set to reunite Khan with Bhansali after two decades. But days before its first schedule, Khan dropped out of the film, which led Bhansali to put it on hold indefinitely. The director then offered Bhatt Gangubai Kathiawadi which is set to enter theatres on July 30, 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.