A number of production houses in Bollywood are scrambling to shift the release date of their films as there is no certainty about how long theatres will take to open their gates for the audience.
Cinemas in India are shuttered since March due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. And if the Coronavirus cases keep rising across the country, there is a good chance that no one is going for movie outings even if theatres resume operations.
Now, Ajay Devgn has confirmed that his much-awaited film Maidaan has been delayed by a year. Earlier scheduled to enter theatres in the month of December, the sports-drama will now make its entry into cinemas on 13th August, 2021.
Sharing the brand-new poster of the forthcoming film on social media, Devgn tweeted: "2021 Independence week. An untold story that will make every Indian proud. August 13, mark the date."
This is the third time when the release date of Maidaan has been deferred in the last past few months. It was earlier scheduled to release in November 2020. It was then shifted to December 2020. Now, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the film has been shifted to India’s Independence Week in 2021.
For the uninitiated, Maidaan is based on a true, inspirational story wherein Ajay Devgn will be seen playing the role of Syed Abdul Rahim, who served as a coach and manager of the Indian football team from 1950 until his death in 1963. Syed Abdul Rahim is regarded as the architect of Indian football.
Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma of Badhaao Ho (2018) fame, the film has been co-produced by Boney Kapoor and Zee Studios.
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.