After delivering superhit cop-dramas Singham (2011), Singham 2 (2013) and Simmba (2019), filmmaker Rohit Shetty is expanding his cop universe with his forthcoming directorial outing Sooryavanshi. Starring megastar Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in lead roles, the movie was earlier set to hit screens on 24th March, 2020. However, the makers had to postpone its release keeping in mind the dire situation which arose out of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Even as news of Sooryavanshi getting delayed due to the Coronavirus outbreak hit every one hard, we hear that Rohit Shetty is contemplating to take the Singham franchise forward with superstar Ajay Devgn. Yes, you heard it right! Shetty is planning to work on Singham 3 next. Not just that, we also hear that Akshay Kumar is most likely to have an extended guest appearance in the next instalment of the superhit franchise.
“Singham is on the anvil next with Ajay Devgn. That’s what Rohit is directing in 2021. And just as Devgn has an extended cameo in Akshay’s Sooryavanshi, Akshay will be making a prominent guest appearance in Singham 3 alongside Ajay Devgn,” a source in the know informs an entertainment portal.
Interestingly, Rohit Shetty has also confirmed Golmaal Five, the fifth instalment of his Golmaal franchise, with Ajay Devgn. It remains to be seen as to which film will mount the shooting floor first: Golmaal Five or Singham 3.
Hit machine Shetty is also producing an untitled film which will be directed by Farah Khan. Though it has been more than a year since the two made their collaboration official, there has been no update on the project.
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.