By: Mohnish Singh
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s production Fanney Khan (2018), and that too in an extended cameo. It has been several years since her diehard fans saw her sizzle in a powerful full-fledged role. Looks like their wish might just come true soon.
If fresh reports doing the rounds in Bollywood corridors are to be believed, the former Miss World is set to foray into the digital world. She is reportedly in talks with streaming media giant Netflix for her digital debut and may seal the deal soon.
A source close to the development informs an online publication, “In the last few months, Aishwarya had been reading a few scripts. She had green-lit Mani Ratnam’s magnum-opus and also liked a Netflix project which happens to be a woman-centric action drama. She had been in advanced talks with the digital giant and now, the modalities are being worked out. This could possibly be something that she begins shooting very soon.”
The source goes on to add, “Aishwarya only wants to do a film or two every year and she has been keen on making her digital debut. In fact, she was also quite instrumental in Abhishek’s decision to do a web series earlier this year.”
Before this untitled project with Netflix materialises, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be seen in Mani Ratnam’s Tamil-language historical drama Ponniyin Selvan. The big-ticket project features an ensemble cast which also includes the likes of Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Jayaram, Vikram Prabhu, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, and megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
Ponniyin Selvan is an adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy's historical period based fictional novel of the same name. The film, which has music by AR Rahman, is expected to arrive in theatres in 2021.
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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.