By: Mohnish Singh
It is not an exaggeration to say that Akshaye Khanna is one of the most underutilised actors working in Bollywood. However, the success of his last few films such as Mom (2017), Ittefaq (2017), The Accidental Prime Minister (2019), and Section 375 (2019) seems to have changed a lot of things for him professionally as filmmakers are now looking at him for all kinds of roles, and he is finally getting his due.
The latest we hear that Khanna has been tapped to play the powerful role of an NSG commando in filmmaker Ken Ghosh’s next directorial which he is making for home-grown streaming media platform ZEE5.
Titled The State of Siege: Akshardham, the upcoming film is based on the 2002 Akshardham Temple attack in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and takes ZEE5’s much-loved State of Siege: 26/11 franchise forward.
Sharing more details on the film, a source in the know informs a publication, “Akshaye Khanna has come on board the film to play the role of an NSG commando who spearheads the entire mission. He has already shot for the film silently in the month of November and December, and it is now gearing up for a premiere on ZEE5 soon.”
The source goes on to add, “The film is in the honour of the victims and fallen heroes and celebrates the spirit of India. The action scenes have been shot using the modern technique of filmmaking that would make the audience feel the adrenaline rush.”
For the uninitiated, the Akshardham Temple attack took place on 24 September, 2002, when two armed men entered the premises of the famous temple at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, killing 30 people and injuring more than 80. The death toll included 27 pilgrims, two state commandos, and one NSG Commando.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.