By: Mohnish Singh
It has been close to a year since Disney+ Hotstar announced the titles of the films it had acquired for a direct-to-digital premiere on the streaming service. While such films as Dil Bechara, Lootcase, Khuda Haafiz, Sadak 2, and Laxmii have already premiered on the streamer, all eyes are now set on Bhuj: The Pride Of India, starring superstar Ajay Devgn in the lead role. It will be the final film of the line-up that Disney+ Hotstar had announced last year.
Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Bhuj: The Pride Of India is a war drama, set during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Devgn plays IAF Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, the then in-charge of the Bhuj airport who, with his team, reconstructed the IAF airbase with the help of 300 women from a local village.
The latest we hear that the makers and Disney+ Hotstar are planning to drop the film on 15th August, 2021, on the occasion of India’s Independence Day. A source in the know tells a publication, “The producers and Disney+ Hotstar team have decided to release Bhuj: The Pride Of India on Independence Day 2021. They feel that this is an apt time to bring this film to the audiences as it deals with a fascinating chapter of Indian history. The makers are hoping that the patriotic flavour and Ajay Devgn’s presence would surely get them record streams.”
In addition to Ajay Devgn, Bhuj: The Pride Of India also stars Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Sharad Kelkar, Pranitha Subhash, Nora Fatehi, and Ammy Virk in significant characters. Television director Abhishek Dudhaiya is making his feature film debut with the upcoming film. T-Series Films has produced the highly anticipated film in collaboration with Select Media Holdings LLP.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy world of entertainment.
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.