By: Mohnish Singh
Amitabh Bachchan, who has close to half a dozen projects at various stages of development, will soon start shooting for Super 30 (2019) director Vikas Bahl’s next, tentatively titled Goodbye. The upcoming film also stars well-known South Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna in an important role.
Earlier this month, while giving a health update on his eye surgery, Bachchan had also written about his project with Bahl. “My love to all. Progress is slow and there is yet another eye to go. So, it’s a long haul. Hoping of course that it all gets well in time for my schedule which begins in a few, the new film with Vikas Bahl, tentatively titled Goodbye. Some of the stills from the look test were put up, but they are just a test, nothing has been finalised,” the superstar had written on his blog.
The latest we hear that the team is looking at taking the film to the shooting floor in the first week of April. “As of now, the plan is to start shooting from April 5 or 6. Major portions of the film are set in Chandigarh, which is why parts of the city have been recreated at a Mumbai studio,” a source close to the development informs an entertainment portal.
The source goes on to add, “The first schedule is expected to go on for around a month, after which the cast will move to Chandigarh and Haridwar for the following schedules. The earlier plan was to start shooting from March 23. Meanwhile, most of the pre-production work has been done and the team is ready to start filming.”
Apart from Vikas Bahl’s next, Amitabh Bachchan also has on his platter Anand Pandit Motion Pictures’ Chehre, T-Series Films’ Jhund, Dharma Productions’ Brahmastra, Ajay Devgn Ffilms’ Mayday. The actor will also return to reprise his role in Aankhen 2, a sequel to his much-loved film Aankhen (2002).
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.