Salman Khan starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which is being called Little Lolita Monkey God Uncle in China, is turning out to be a blockbuster in the country, having amassed over Rs 150 crore in the country since its release.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan released in India more than two years back, but it was only on March 2 that Chinese audience got a chance to watch the movie. This is Salman Khan's first movie to release in the country, where Aamir Khan is already an established superstar.
"Eros International and Salman Khan Film's 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' has an outstanding second Saturday in China, collecting $3.35 million. Running Total: $23.11 million (Rs 150.70 crore)," a statement issued by the makers read.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan has also become the first Salman movie to enter the Rs 200 crore club in overseas markets.The Kabir Khan directed movie revolves around the attempts of a Hindu man, played by Salman, to reunite a young dumb-mute Pakistani girl with her parents.
Some religious and political outfits had initially objected to the film's title, but Salman was sure his role would win over critics.
"It’s a positive title; it’s the most positive title ever," he told The Hindu. "No religious group will object because how can anyone, particularly someone who is devout, object to the positivity expressed in this film’s title? All religious groups teach their disciples to respect other faiths. Each one is a path to God. Look around you — don’t you see how secular we are? People in skull caps dance at Ganpati Visarjans, Hindus visit Dargahs to pray for Mannats."
The film's director Kabir also defended the title saying Hanuman does not belong to one single community.
"I wanted Bajrangi to stand for what he is—the most fun god," Khan told Indian Express. "I was not going to let the right-wingers appropriate Lord Hanuman as their own. Hanuman doesn’t belong to only one community. Bajrangi is a symbol of our ethos. And the way the audience has taken to the film, it proves that he belongs to entire India."
The film also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Harshaali Malhotra and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in lead roles.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.