By: Mohnish Singh
Last seen on the big screen in the JP Dutta-directed war film Paltan (2018), Bollywood star Arjun Rampal has added an exciting project to his upcoming line-up. The model-turned-actor has joined the star cast of the forthcoming action thriller flick Dhaakad which stars Kangana Ranaut as the female lead.
Rampal, who has done back-to-back web projects lately, is psyched up about joining the team of Dhaakad. Sharing his excitement, he said, “I am excited about it. It is a fantastic script. I signed this a while ago. Right now, I am going through the training process for the movie. It is important for one to rehearse and work towards what is required.”
To be produced by Sohail Maklai, Dhaakad marks the directorial debut of well-known ad-filmmaker Razneesh Ghai. Recently, Kangana Ranaut hosted a small brunch for the team of the film to welcome the New Year, where Rampal was also in attendance.
In a tweet, the three-time National Film Award-winning actress also revealed that the makers of Dhaakad have roped in award-winning France-based Japanese cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata to cinematograph the film.
“For Dhaakad, we have legendary French director of photography Tetsuo Nagata. His academy award-winning work like La Vie en Rose (2007) has been an inspiration for the whole world. Along with highly acclaimed international action crew, Razneesh Ghai (is) hoping to make a world-class spy thriller,” she wrote, sharing pictures with him and the others from a brunch hosted by her last week.
In addition to Dhaakad, Arjun Rampal has two more interesting films in his hand, including a period war drama called The Battle of Bheema Koregaon, and Nastik. Apart from films, he is also busy exploring the world of streaming media.
Keep visiting this space again and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy world of entertainment.
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.