Contrary to recent reports, it has come to light that superstar Akshay Kumar and filmmaker Maneesh Sharma are not collaborating with each other any time soon. Some media outlets had recently reported that the duo was set to join hands for a project to be produced by Yash Raj Films.
However, an entertainment portal quotes a source as saying, “Akshay has only one film signed with YRF and that is Prithviraj which he will resume shoot for in a few months. There is no other film that has been offered to him or is in the pipeline with him and Maneesh. There won’t be any new special film announcement with Akki that is planned for YRF 50 next month.”
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is gearing up to commence the first shooting schedule of his much-awaited film, Bell Bottom. The entire team will land in the United Kingdom in August for a start-to-finish schedule.
Also starring Vaani Kapoor, Huma Qureshi and Lara Dutta in important roles, Bell Bottom is going to be one of the first Bollywood films to announce the resumption of shooting schedule in the wake of the Coronavirus-induced lockdown.
The retro-drama will be directed by Ranjit M Tewari, who last helmed Lucknow Central (2017). Backed by Deepshikha Deshmukh, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani and Nikkhil Advani, the film is scheduled to arrive in theatres on April 2, 2021.
As for Maneesh Sharma, buzz has it that the filmmaker may come on board to helm the next installment of the super successful Tiger franchise with Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
Keep visiting this space for more updates.
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.