Ankita Lokhande has a new film in her kitty! Last seen in the Kangana Ranaut starrer Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2018), the former television star has been roped in to play an important role in Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi’s much-awaited film Chehre, helmed by writer-director Rumi Jaffery.
For the unversed, Lokhande was not the first choice of the makers for the said role. They had earlier cast Kriti Kharbanda in the same role. However, the actress was reportedly dropped from the big-ticket project due to tantrums and mismanagement by her team.
A popular entertainment portal reports that after dropping Kriti Kharbanda from the project, producer Anand Pandit met Ankita Lokhande for a discussion. The actress is said to have liked the idea, and even given a verbal nod to be a part of the film. However, she is yet to sign Chehre on the dotted line.
Ankita began her acting career on television. She played the female lead in Ekta Kapoor’s long-running show Pavitra Rishta on ZEE TV. When the actress was at the peak of her career, she surprised everyone by quitting the show for a career in movies. She debuted in Bollywood with Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. Her next release is the action entertainer Baaghi 3, co-starring Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh.
Kriti Kharbanda, on the other hand, is currently basking in the huge success of her Diwali release Housefull 4 (2019). She is also busy promoting her forthcoming comic-caper Pagalpanti. Also starring John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz, Pulkit Samrat and Arshad Warsi in pivotal parts, the movie is slated to tickle the funny bone of the audience on 22nd November, 2019.
Chehre, which is a mystery thriller, is scheduled to hit the silver screen on April 24, 2020. The film brings Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi together for the very first time.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.