As the sun rises on April 2nd, it marks not just another day but the birthday of one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actors, Ajay Devgn. With an enviable repertoire of films and a legacy that spans decades, he remains an indelible part of Bollywood, inspiring generations of actors and leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Today, the versatile superstar turns 55, and as he adds yet another year to his illustrious career, let us have a look at his 5 most-awaited films.
Maidaan: Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, this sports biographical drama features Ajay Devgn portraying the legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rahim. The film depicts the golden era of Indian football from 1952 to 1962. It is set to release on April 10, 2024.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Two months after the release of Maidaan, Ajay Devgn will be seen in his next Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha. This romantic thriller is directed by Neeraj Pandey and also stars Tabu and Jimmy Shergill in important roles. The film is slated to hit theatres on June 14, 2024.
Singham Again
Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of righteous cop Bajirao Singham in Rohit Shetty’s Singham became iconic, spawning a successful franchise that cemented his status as an action hero. The actor returns with the third installment Singham Again on August 15, 2024, on the occasion of India’s Independence Day. The action entertainer has a star-studded cast, including Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tiger Shroff, and Arjun Kapoor.
Raid 2
The National Award-winning actor will be closing the year on a powerful note with Raid 2. The Raj Kumar Gupta directorial is a sequel to his 2018 film Raid. The film also stars Vaani Kapoor as the female lead and Riteish Deshmukh as the antagonist. It is due in cinemas on November 15, 2024.
Drishyam 3
After the box office success of Drishyam (2015) and Drishyam 2 (2022), Ajay Devgn is set to reprise his role of Vijay Salgaonkar in Drishyam 3, the third installment of the franchise. The film, which is yet to mount the shooting floor, will release in 2025.
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.