With the government of Maharashtra, India, allowing film and TV production after a strict lockdown of more than two months, several production houses and studios are gearing up to commence shoot in a couple of weeks.
Rumours were doing the rounds lately that Akshay Kumar was planning to kick-start his next film Bell Bottom in July. But a report published by an online entertainment portal suggests that the superstar will first wrap up his much-awaited historical drama Prithviraj before moving on to Bell Bottom sometime in August.
Talking about the shooting schedule of Yash Raj Films’ Prithviraj, a source informs the portal, "The sets were dismantled and now, Aditya Chopra has given orders to reconstruct a similar set indoor to film the remaining portions. Almost 40 percent of the film is already shot, including a big action set-piece. Now the remaining 60 percent remains and knowing how quickly Akshay finishes his films, he will start shooting his portions from end-June and wrap it up in a month or mostly by August first week."
Right after completing Prithviraj, Kumar will jump to kick-start Bell Bottom, which is a collaborative venture of Jackky Bhagnani and Nikkhil Advani. A source close to the superstar adds, "Akshay has discussed with both Jackky and Nikkhil Advani and decided that they will begin filming for Bell Bottom from the first week of August in London. They are expecting the situation to get much better by then and have also jointly decided on getting a limited crew, majorly from London itself. They are currently waiting for clearance on the travel. Once they get a go-ahead from the Government, they will lock the exact dates of shoot. Bell Bottom needs to be shot in London because the city forms the backdrop to the entire story. There will only be two-three days of shoot in Mumbai which will be filmed after the UK schedule."
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.