Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, who is currently basking in the success of her latest release Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), is on a roll.
After adding several Hindi blockbusters to her credit, she is now gearing up to set her foot in Hollywood. The Raazi (2018) star will make her Hollywood debut in a film titled Heart Of Stone. The film also stars Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan in principal roles.
To be directed by Tom Harper, the international spy thriller will be backed by Netflix and Skydance. The streaming media giant took to its official Instagram handle of Netflix India and announced the news. “Starting our day by announcing (and screaming) that Alia Bhatt is going to be in Heart Of Stone,” read the post.
Taking to Instagram, Alia Bhatt also shared a screenshot of a news report about her major English language debut. Though she did not caption the post, she added white heart and folded hands emojis. Reacting to the post, Arjun Kapoor wrote, “Mini Meryl’s at it again...” Samantha Ruth Prabhu commented, “Congratulations.”
Before Bhatt, Bollywood stars like Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, and the late Irrfan Khan have also been a part of a couple of Hollywood projects. Deepika Padukone has also made her Hollywood debut with xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017).
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt has several interesting projects in the pipeline. She is currently awaiting the release of her much-awaited period drama RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli. She has also wrapped up filming Darlings, which she is co-producing with Shah Rukh Khan.
The talented actress will also be seen in Farhan Akhtar's directorial comeback Jee Le Zaraa, alongside Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif. She is also reuniting with Karan Johar for his next directorial, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani with Ranveer Singh.
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.