Toplined by Kartik Aaryan, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) is having a dream run at the domestic box office in India. Helmed by Anees Bazmee, the horror-comedy film hit cinemas on May 20 and has been earning steadily ever since. The film has now crossed the much-coveted ₹150 mark in India as it raked in ₹154.82 crores till Sunday, June 5.
Sharing the latest earnings of the film on his Twitter handle, noted film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 continues to dazzle, unaffected by multiple releases week after week... Growth on third Sat and Sun remarkable... Mass circuits in full form... Heading towards ₹175 cr... [Week 3] Fri2.81 cr, Sat 4.55 cr, Sun 5.71 cr. Total: ₹ 154.82 cr. India biz.”
Not just in India, but the film has been doing thunderous business overseas also. If reports are to be believed, the horror-comedy has gone past the ₹200-crore mark with its worldwide collection. The film is holding it really well in theatres despite new releases such as Samrat Prithviraj, Major, and Vikram.
In a media statement, the makers of the film said, "Holding steady in theatres despite new releases, this horror-comedy continues to score big as it collects ₹5.71 on day 17 and takes the collection to ₹154.82 cr."
Also starring Kiara Advani and Tabu in significant roles, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is a sequel to Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, and Shiney Ahuja’s 2007 hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The sequel has turned out to be a much bigger hit than its predecessor.
While Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is busy smashing one box office record after another, Kartik Aaryan over the weekend informed his fans that he has contracted Covid-19. “Everything was so good, but Covid could not be kept at bay,” he shared as a caption of the post.
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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.