By: Mohnish Singh
Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan’s next film Goodbye has gone before the cameras. The film, which also stars well-known South Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna in a prominent role, is a joint venture between Balaji Telefilms and Reliance Entertainment. Filmmaker Vikas Bahl directs after the huge success of his last directorial Super 30, starring Hrithik Roshan.
The mahurat shot for Goodbye took place yesterday in Mumbai. While Mandanna started shooting for the much-awaited film yesterday, Bachchan is set to join the sets on April 4, as per reports.
Talking about the film, producer Ekta Kapoor says, “Goodbye is an extremely special subject which has emotion and entertainment in equal measure. It is a story that every family will identify with. I am ecstatic to be working with Mr. Bachchan and thrilled to present Rashmika Mandanna in this beautiful film.”
Shibasish Sarkar, Group CEO, Reliance Entertainment, shares, “It gives us immense pleasure to announce our next project Goodbye that brings together the creative forces of Balaji Telefilms and filmmaker Vikas Bahl. The film is going to be as interesting as its title and we are deeply honoured to have superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Rashmika Mandanna onboard with us.”
In addition to Goodbye, Amitabh Bachchan has close to half a dozen exciting projects in his pocket He is awaiting the release of Chehre and Jhund. The actor is also juggling shoots for Dharma Productions’ Brahmastra, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and Ajay Devgn’s much-talked-about directorial Mayday.
Rashmika Mandanna, on the other hand, recently started shooting for RSVP Movies’ next production Mission Majnu, which marks her debut in Bollywood. The film features Sidharth Malhotra as her co-star. The actress also headlines a couple of films down south.
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.