Alia Bhatt, who was last seen in Sadak 2 (2020), which had its direct-to-digital premiere on Disney+ Hotstar, has started shooting for her next film Darlings. What makes the upcoming project special for the talented actress is the fact that she is not only headlining it but also co-producing under her recently launched production house, Eternal Sunshine Productions.
Bhatt, who began her acting career with Dharma Productions’ superhit college-caper Student of the Year (2012), turns producer with Darlings. She is co-producing the film in association with Shah Rukh Khan’s well-established banner, Red Chillies Entertainment.
To be directed by Jasmeet K Reen, the film was officially announced a couple of months ago. Bhatt began filming for it today on Saturday in Mumbai. Apart from her, the impressive cast of Darlings also includes talented actors Shefali Shah, Vijay Varma and Roshan Mathew.
Sharing photos from her vanity van, Bhatt shared how she gets nervous before commencing shoot on a new film. She also urged her fans to send her luck to match up to her talented co-actors.
“Day one of Darlings, my first film as a producer, but I will always be an actor first and forever (in this case a very nervous actor). I do not know what it is… a night before I start a new film, I get this nervous tingling energy all over my body. I dream all night about messing up my lines, become jumpy, reach set 15 minutes before time fearing I’ll be late! I guess this feeling will never go away, and it shouldn’t because being nervous and feeling unsure means you really, really care. P.S - wish me luck please. I’ll need all of it to match up to my co-actors,” the actress wrote in her note.
Before commencing work on Darlings, Alia Bhatt recently wrapped up Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum-opus Gangubai Kathiawadi. The actress also has Dharma Productions’ high-profile fantasy adventure drama Brahmastra and SS Rajamouli’s period drama RRR in her bag.
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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.