Rumy Jafry’s Chehre, which stars Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi in the lead roles, was slated to release in April this year. But, due to the second wave of Covid-19 in India, the release date of the film was postponed.
There were reports that the film might get a direct-to-digital release. However, on Thursday (12) it was announced that Chehre will hit the big screens on 27th August 2021.
Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to make an announcement about it. He tweeted, “CAUTION You have been warned! Be ready to #FaceTheGame, kyunki yeh ilzaam aap par bhi lag sakta hai #Chehre, releasing on 27th August in cinemas near you. @emraanhashmi @anandpandit63 #RumyJafry @annukapoor_ @Tweet2Rhea @krystledsouza @PrimeVideoIN #SaraswatiFilms.”
While talking about the film releasing in theatres, producer Anand Pandit said, "There was no doubt in my mind that this was a film meant for a theatrical release. Chehre is not just thematically strong but has a certain grandeur that deserved the immersive magic of the big screen. I have grown up watching blockbusters in theatres and to watch Mr Bachchan on the big screen in one of my productions would be beyond thrilling. This is also my 51st production and I wanted to make its release, a special occasion for the cast, the crew and the audiences. The film will now release all over the world on 27th August and I couldn't be happier."
Another reason why Pandit wanted a theatrical release for his movie was because he wanted to express solidarity with exhibitors and theatre owners.
He said, "What can be better than to go back to the theatres with an Amitabh Bachchan film? The industry is a family that has suffered a lot in this pandemic but I believe we can survive anything if we stand by each other. So bringing Chehre to theatres is my way of standing by over 10 lakh people who are associated with the industry in some way or another. The film's teasers and trailer have already received so much love from the audience and I hope they come back to watch the film with the same enthusiasm. Their love will not just mean a lot to me but to the exhibitors and the large extended family of workers who need sustenance and support."
Chehre also stars Krystle D'Souza, Rhea Chakraborty, Siddhanth Kapoor, Annu Kapoor, Dhritiman Chatterjee and Raghubir Yadav.
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.