By: Mohnish Singh
After the huge success of Shakuntala Devi (2020), director Anu Menon and producer Vikram Malhotra of Abundantia Entertainment have joined forces again for a new project currently under development. The team is looking at beginning production in April-May 2021.
Talking in detail about the upcoming film, Anu Menon says, “I am very happy that Abundantia Entertainment is the home to my new film as well. I had a great time telling Shakuntala Devi’s story with Vikram and the team led by Shikhaa. Their passion for telling compelling stories and commitment to a director’s vision are rare to find. We have a very different story coming up this time around and I hope we receive the same love from the audience as we did for our first collaboration together.”
Vikram Malhotra says, “I am very excited to collaborate with Anu once again. We had an amazing time working with Anu on Shakuntala Devi and the film has become a bit of a landmark in terms of how it has connected with viewers all across the world. Anu has a unique storytelling style and her stories are underpinned by strong women characters that fit in well with Abundantia’s vision of telling impactful stories. I am confident that together, Anu and Abundantia will delight the audience yet again.”
Shikhaa Sharma, Sr. Vice-President and Head Creative & Development, Abundantia Entertainment adds, “After a super successful outing with Anu, in the form of Shakuntala Devi, it was just a matter of time when we got together again! Anu’s infectious energy, her collaborative attitude, and just how she leads from the front are inspiring for the entire cast and crew. This time around, the genre is even more thrilling and we are already underway with the scripting of this murder mystery.”
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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.