THE first two Bhool Bhulaiyaa films found success with the story of a haunted palace and trying to figure out who the real evil spirit is.
The recently released third instalment tries to recycle a similar story trope, with a brand new array of madcap characters. This time around, fake ghostbuster Ruhaan is blackmailed into going to a haunted palace because he looks like an ancient ancestor. He is tasked with getting rid of an evil spirit haunting the palatial property, but unexpectedly finds love. When two mysterious women also arrive at the palace, things get further complicated, and what follows is the unravelling of a centuries-old mystery.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 attempts to twist an existing story in a new direction and turns it into a tangled mess, with too many elements crammed into a colourful supernatural-comedy tapestry. The jumbled story is peppered with songs, comedy and spooky moments, but the music is average, the humour forced and there are not-so-scary scenes. It seems to be a lazy attempt at cashing in on a successful franchise by recycling old elements, including songs that have been heard before, and results in a sub-standard copy of better films.
While the cast, led by Kartik Aaryan and Triptii Dimri, deliver solid performances, they struggle to inject life into this decidedly dead horror comedy. Director Anees Bazmee wastes the golden opportunity of having cinema icons Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan in his film. The popular leading ladies deserved much more than what this movie had to offer them. Those who don’t mind plot-holes, coincidences and story elements that have been seen before may enjoy this movie. There is also an interesting climax, but that isn’t enough to save a film which could have been so much better, had there been more originality and stronger writing.
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.