By: Mohnish Singh
Starring an ensemble cast of Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Kirti Kulhari, and Nitya Menen, Mission Mangal was one of the most successful Hindi films of 2019. It did not only garner rave reviews from critics but also set the cash registers jingling at the box-office.
After the huge success of Mission Mangal, Akshay Kumar is set to work with director Jagan Shakti once again. We hear that their next project is going to be a big-budget sci-fi film just like their previous outing.
Spilling some more beans on the development, a source in the know says, “After Jagan Shakti’s direction of Mission Mangal, it was an easy choice for Akshay Kumar to rope him in as the director of this new venture. The two of them, Shakti and Kumar, have established a working relationship that has paid off in the past so it made the choice of Shakti directing this new venture that much easier.”
The source goes on to add, “Though the film has not yet been titled, it is being said that it will be a science fiction entertainer that will be made on a massive scale. Given the VFX work that will be required for the project, Akshay Kumar is pulling out all stops in terms of budgetary expense.”
We also hear that Akshay Kumar is set to play a double role in the forthcoming film. The project will hit the shooting floor in 2021 and release in theatres in 2022. An official announcement is awaited though.
Meanwhile, Kumar is awaiting the release of his next film Sooryavanshi. Earlier scheduled to hit the marquee in March, 2020, the Rohit Shetty directorial is now expected to release in the first quarter of 2021. Prithviraj, Bell Bottom, and Bachchan Pandey are some of his other projects lined-up for release in 2021.
Keep visiting this space for more updates 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.