Akshay Kumar, who is presently riding high on the huge success of his latest film Housefull 4 (2019), has a number of exciting projects on his platter. And if reports are to be believed, the superstar has added yet another interesting movie to the slate of his forthcoming offerings.
Yes, according to reports, Kumar is set to join forces with filmmaker Nikkhil Advani once again for a thriller set in the 1980s. The film will be directed by Ranjit Tiwari. Kumar and Advani last worked together on Patiala House in 2011, which also starred Anushka Sharma in the lead role.
Spilling some beans on the upcoming project, a source in the know tells a popular entertainment portal. “Nikkhil has been planning this film for some time. It is a suave action spy thriller where Akshay plays one of the special agents. The film is completely set in the 80s and will be a period action espionage film.”
Talking about the title of the film, the source went on to add, “Since it’s set in the ’80s, the team has called the film Bell Bottoms. Yes, that is the title of the actioner and the whole cast including Akshay will be seen wearing clothes that were prevalent in that era.”
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is looking forward to the release of his next film Good Newwz after the success of Housefull 4. Produced by Karan Johar under the banner of Dharma Productions, Good Newwz is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on 27th December, 2019.
Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, on the other hand, is coming up with his next production offering Marjaavaan on 15th November. Starring Sidharth Malhotra, Tara Sutaria, Rakul Preet Singh and Riteish Deshmukh in principal roles, the film is directed by Milap Zaveri.
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.