By: Mohnish Singh
Last seen in Malang (2020), a romantic action thriller by filmmaker Mohit Suri, Aditya Roy Kapur cannot seem to get enough of action movies. Months after the roaring success of Malang, he signed up for Ahmed Khan’s actioner Om: The Battle Within. And now, we hear that the actor has come on board for yet another action film which will get off the ground once he wraps up OM: The Battle Within.
Reportedly, actress-producer Anushka Sharma, who has previously produced such critically and commercially successful films as NH10 (2015), Phillauri (2017), Pari (2018), and Bulbbul (2020), will bankroll the upcoming action entertainer under her production house Clean Slate Filmz. If reports are to be believed, the film has been titled Afghan.
A well-placed source tells an online publication, “Anushka and her brother Karnesh Sharma have been trying to make an out-and-out action film for a while now. They have in the past discussed some action projects but they could not materialize as the sister-brother duo was looking for something that's massy and commercial yet different from the regular masala offerings.”
The source goes on to add, “Afghan is high on action but still has that uniqueness in the storyline and presentation Clean Slate Films is widely known for. The Sharma siblings approached Aditya and he immediately agreed to star in the film. It will go on floors in May this year.”
Meanwhile, Aditya Roy Kapur is presently shooting for Om: The Battle Within. The film, which mounted the shooting floor last year, also stars Sanjana Sanghi in the lead role. Sanghi was last seen in Dil Bechara (2020) alongside late Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput. The additional cast of Afghan includes such talented actors as Jackie Shroff and Prakash Raj.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
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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.