Most recently seen in Yash Raj Films’ Samrat Prithviraj, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is now looking forward to the release of his next Raksha Bandhan. The trailer of the much-anticipated film was unveiled on Tuesday, June 21. Akshay was in Delhi for the trailer launch where he spoke about Raksha Bandhan clashing with Aamir Khan’s hotly-anticipated film Laal Singh Chaddha.
Raksha Bandhan is releasing on August 11 and Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha is also due on the same date.
When asked about the clash, Akshay said, “It’s not a clash. It's about good movies coming together. And, it's a big day. Due to Covid-19, many films did not release and some are still waiting to get a release date. So, it's natural more films will release together. I hope both films have a good run.”
Akshay, according to a journalist present at the event had delayed Bachchhan Paandey, to avoid clash with Laal Singh Chaddha earlier. Responding to the same, the actor said, “I don’t remember any such clash or delaying Bachchhan Paandey as far as I can recall. However, I feel there is no clash between my film and Laal Singh Chaddha. There are just two good films coming together.”
Raksha Bandhan marks Akshay’s reunion with filmmaker Aanand L Rai after Atrangi Re, which was released last year. On being asked about teaming up again with Akshay, Aanand said, “Akshay Sir was never Akshay Kumar for me. He was always Raju (Akshay’s screen name in Raksha Bandhan). Akshay Sir portrayed the character brilliantly in the film. He treated me like an elder brother, though he is elder to me. I never expected that in spite of being a huge star he would agree to do a second film with someone like me.”
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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.