According to reports, a film on trade unionist and former Cabinet minister George Fernandes, who breathed his last on 30th January at the age of 88, is in the works.
The untitled project will focus on late politician’s life around the emergency of 1975. If all goes well, the movie will begin production in March. Renowned filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, who last helmed the Varun Dhawan starrer October (2018), is expected to call the shots.
The project is being planned by politician-turned-filmmaker Sanjay Raut, whose Thackeray (2019), starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is performing well at the box-office. The script and screenplay of the film have been locked, as per sources.
“George Fernandes is an inspiration in the true sense of the word. He was known for the many roles he took on during his lifetime — a trade unionist, a socialist leader, an anti-Emergency hero, a former Union minister and a Rajya Sabha member. The idea is to bring his life to the celluloid and reach out to a wide range of audience,” a source close to the development reveals.
Apart from focusing on Fernandes’ life from the mid-1950s in Mumbai to Emergency in 1975, the film will also chronicle his friendship with Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. The movie will be bilingual in Marathi and Hindi.
“I seek guidance from Shoojit as he is a close friend and I would love to have a talented director like him on board. But we’re yet to finalise names,” Sanjay Raut said when asked about teaming up with Shoojit Sircar.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.