By: Mohnish Singh
Bobby Deol, who is currently basking in the riotous success of his debut digital show Aashram (2020), recently added a new film to his resume. The actor signed on to star in Red Chillies Entertainment and Drishyam Films’ next project, titled Love Hostel. Besides him, the upcoming crime thriller also features Vikrant Massey and Sanya Malhotra on its lead cast.
The latest buzz suggests that Bobby Deol is set to portray a negative character in Love Hostel. If the news is true, it will be his immediate next negative role after Aashram where he impressed everyone as self-styled godman Baba Nirala.
Sharing the basic plotline of the film, Sanya Malhotra had recently written on her Instagram account, “Set against the pulsating backdrop of rustic North India, Love Hostel traces the volatile journey of a spirited young couple, being hunted by a ruthless mercenary. The star-crossed lovers take on the entire world and some more in search of a fairy-tale ending. This is a survival tale in the game of power, money, and principles, with mayhem and bloodshed.”
Looks like Deol has been roped in to essay the character of the “ruthless mercenary” in the film while Vikrant Massey and Sanya Malhotra play the star-crossed lovers. The actor is known for playing all sorts of characters with great panache. We are sure he will nail this negative character as well.
Written and directed by Shanker Raman, Love Hostel is produced by Gauri Khan, Manish Mundra, and Gaurav Verma. The film is expected to go before cameras in early 2021 and release towards the end of the same year.
Meanwhile, Bobby Deol is waiting for the premiere of the second season of his hit show Aashram. Directed by well-known filmmaker Prakash Jha, Aashram 2 is scheduled to start streaming on Wednesday, November 11, on MX Player.
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.