Ananya Panday, who burst onto the silver screen with Dharma Productions’ college-caper Student of the Year 2 (2019), can be currently seen in commercial potboiler Khaali Peeli (2020), co-starring Ishaan Khatter and Jaideep Ahlawat.
The film, which marks the directorial debut of Maqbool Khan and has been produced by Ali Abbas Zafar, released digitally on 2nd October on ZEE Plex. Originally made for theatres, the movie had to premiere online due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
Talking to a publication, Ananya Panday recently revealed that initially she was disappointed that her film did not release in cinemas. “I am not going to lie; I was very disappointed. It is a film made for the big screen, but when I found out that’s in this format, I was intrigued by this new way of watching a film,” said the newcomer.
She went on to add, “As an actor, you just want to do good work, not thinking of it being a theatrical or digital release. I want to be part of good films, work with the directors on my dream list and roles where I have a chance to perform. For me, that’s all that matters.”
Talking about the forthcoming ventures of Ananya Panday, the actress will next be seen in Dharma Productions’ bilingual film Fighter opposite southern heartthrob Vijay Deverakonda. Well-known south Indian filmmaker Puri Jagannadh is calling the shots for the big-budgeted project.
She is also doing Dharma Productions’ untitled film which Shakun Batra is helming for Karan Johar. The movie, which is currently being shot in Goa, also features Deepika Padukone and Siddhant Chaturvedi on the cast. Both films are expected to arrive in theatres in the first half of 2021.
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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.