ZEE5 and Zindagi have announced a desi noir anthology series titled Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam. Critically acclaimed British Indian director Meenu Gaur directs the upcoming series, which features an eclectic cast with leading actors from the subcontinent including Ahsan Khan, Osman Khalid Butt, Sheheryar Munawar, Saleem Mairaj, Samiya Mumtaz, Sanam Saeed, Sarwat Gilani, Mehar Bano, Faiza Gillani, Beo Raana Zafar, and Eman Suleman.
Written by Farjad Nabi and Meenu Gaur, Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is set in the timeless lanes of ‘Androon Sheher’ - a mythical neighbourhood and showcases stories of love, lust, power, and redemption woven in a web of betrayal, angst, and revenge. Each story from the anthology depicts the fearlessness of women and their determination to avenge deceit. At the core of the stories are mystery, suspense, intrigue with twist endings.
Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 India said, “At ZEE5, we are passionate about bringing you stories that reflect a myriad of emotions from across genres and storylines. Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is a unique and invigorating show which portrays a never seen before side of female protagonists who challenge stereotypes. We are excited to bring forth this differentiating show on ZEE5 and add to the variety of content available on the platform.”
Ms Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Content Officer - Special Projects, Zee Entertainment Enterprises said, “Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam challenges the stereotypical portrayal of women who are often perceived as victims. Each story in the anthology showcases courageous, bold women who decide to take charge of things when their limits are pushed. These women are fatal to patriarchy and go several extra miles to seek what they want at any cost.”
Creator and Director Meenu Gaur said, "This idea for the show was like an outpouring for me and it's no surprise that the stories here are about all that which surges within us as women- love, passion, ambition, conviction, rage, revenge, and revolution. With the dominance of a male-centric gaze especially in the noir genre, I was keen to explore a new interpretation, one which is told from the perspective of the much-maligned femme fatale characters. It is an attempt to correct the sexism of film noir and try our hands at feminist noir.”
Cowriter Farjad Nabi said, “Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam waves goodbye to the victim woman as seven Fatales get their way through methods that are unexpected, sometimes horrifying, but always liberating. I am glad this show will be premiering on the ZEE5 platform that focuses on bringing diverse and significant stories for the global audience.”
Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is a compilation of six stories of seven women who wrest back control and redefine the word femme fatale. The anthology series will premiere soon only on ZEE5.
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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.