By: Mohnish Singh
There is no denying the fact that Ayushmann Khurrana’s name has become synonymous with quality cinema. Ever since beginning his acting career with Shoojit Sircar’s Vicky Donor in 2012, the actor has made it a point to choose projects which are not only different from one another but also have dollops of entertainment.
Khurrana is presently one of the busiest actors working in Bollywood. He has a number of projects at various stages of development. In October, the actor commenced work on director Abhishek Kapoor’s Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, co-starring Vaani Kapoor. The actor shot non-stop for the film and completed it within a span of two months, despite the scare of the Coronavirus pandemic still looming large.
Weeks after the completion of the film, showbiz is buzzing with reports that Khurrana made his producers Bhushan Kumar and Abhishek Kapoor add a ‘no digital release’ clause in his contract before coming on board to headline the project.
Spilling some more beans, a trade source informs an entertainment portal, “In today’s uncertain environment, a lot of films are taking the direct-to-digital route and Ayushmann wants to be sure of what he is signing up for. Hence, he along with his team has devised a plan to clearly bifurcate between OTT and theatrical content before coming onboard a film. His contract for Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui assures a theatrical release. The idea is to know what he is signing on for, and decide on the content based on the medium of showcasing.”
The source goes on to add, “Although Gulabo Sitabo (2020) was the first film to arrive on the digital world, he is now clear on bifurcating between the two content. While he is open to be a digital star too, he wants to know the platform of showcasing before joining the gang. Only after being on the same page regarding the release plan of Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui did he come on board the film. At this point of time, it is gearing up for a theatrical release in June.”
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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.