Akshay Kumar is set to star in Manish Gupta’s next, Section 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti, which is based on real life cases. The film will go on the floors in March-April. During an interview with a leading Indian daily, Manish said, "In recent times, there have been a number of cases where it’s ambiguous whether it was rape or consensual sex. The law can be misused by both men and women alike. This film is about how a law against rape made to protect women can also be misused by them."
As a part of his research, the filmmaker has attended hearings in the court for 2 years. “There is a special court with a special female judge who only hears rape cases. I have also met survivors, their families, alleged rapists and both their lawyers. It’s very disturbing not only for the accused and the survivors but also their families.”
Akshay will be playing the role of a lawyer in the film. “I did not want a typical Bollywood hero who sings and dances. I needed an intelligent guy, somebody who looks 40, qualities I found in Akshaye,’’ Manish said.
Produced by Abhishek Pathak along with his father Kumar Mangat, the film highlights the issue of how women misuse the power conferred by the law which makes it complicated for real rape victims. “I’ve seen Manish’s Rahasya and we thought it was an interesting film. We know what he will be able to achieve with the script. When he came to us, we were drawn by the idea of Section 375 and decided to back the project,” said Abhishek.
Moreover, actress Richa Chadha will be playing the role of a public prosecutor in the film.
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.