By: Mohnish Singh
After the roaring success of the sci-fi film Mission Mangal (2019), filmmaker Jagan Shakti has joined forces with superstar Akshay Kumar for his second directorial outing, as per the latest reports. Said to be based on real-life events, the untitled project is currently at the scripting stage.
A source close to the development informs a publication that Kumar will play the character of a law enforcement officer in the film. “This is an action-drama with a dash of science. It is set in current times. It is inspired by true events. He will play the role of the law enforcement officer,” the source divulges.
The source goes on to add, “As soon as Akshay fulfils his other commitments, we will begin shooting for this film. There are so many things in the pipeline for him, so we are also waiting to go on floors. Currently, due to COVID-19, the schedule of all projects is affected.”
Also starring Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, and Nithya Menen in prominent roles, Mission Mangal was one of the highest-grossing films of 2019. Since Jagan Shakti delivered a huge hit in his first film, expectations are riding high on his next project as a director.
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar has close to half a dozen films in the pipeline. While the much-in-demand actor has already completed shooting for such high-profile films as Sooryavanshi, Bell Bottom, Atrangi Re, Bachchan Pandey, and Prithviraj, he will soon resume production on Ram Setu. The actor commenced the first schedule of Ram Setu in March, but the makers had to halt the shoot after the actor and several crew members tested positive for the coronavirus. Besides Atrangi Re, Kumar has teamed up with Aanand L Rai for yet another film, titled Raksha Bandhan.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the 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.