Actor Kartik Aaryan has proved once again that he does not need the backing of a big banner to make his film work at the box office. His latest film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), which hit theatres on May 20, put up a great show at the ticket window on Day 1 and emerged as his biggest opener to date.
Made on a moderate budget, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 minted over £1,439,236 (₹14 crore) on its opening day. The Anees Bazmee directorial is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Murad Khetani, and Krishan Kumar under the banners of T-Series and Cine1 Studios.
Noted film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the first-day collection of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 on social media. Check it out:
In another post, he showered praises on Kartik Aaryan and said the audience has made the actor people’s superstar. “Kartik Aaryan is on a great footing, post Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. The actor has delivered a string of hits without the backing of big production houses or top-ranking directors... It’s the moviegoers who have made him a people's superstar and the BO numbers endorse this fact.”
The opening day collection was shared by Cine1 Studios on its official Twitter page. “Filled with laughter & fear! This complete family entertainer is entertaining all,” the post read.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, as the title clearly suggests, is a sequel to filmmaker Priyadarshan’s 2007 film Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The film starred Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, and Shiney Ahuja in lead roles. While the remake stars Tabu, Kiara Advani, Sanjay Mishra, and Rajpal Yadav in addition to Kartik Aaryan.
The actor has a number of several other exciting projects in the pipeline, including Shehzada, Captain India, and Freddy.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the 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.