By: Mohnish Singh
It is no secret that Bollywood loves to remake successful films from different languages, which have the potential to rake in huge moolah in the Hindi market. It has been remaking films for several decades now, and the trend is only going to grow in the future.
In the past couple of years, Murad Khetani-led Cine1 Studios has purchased the remake rights of several successful South Indian films. The banner decided to invest in such projects after tasting huge success Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani’s Kabir Singh (2019), which turned out to be an instant blockbuster at the box office. The film was the official remake of the successful Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017).
After the blockbuster Kabir Singh, Murad Khetani bagged the rights to remake Tamil film Thadam (2019) and Telugu blockbuster Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020). Apart from South Indian films, Khetani has also acquired the remake rights of Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini-starrer Namak Halal (1982). That's not all! The latest we hear that he has also picked up the official remake rights of Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor's cult classic Tezaab.
“There were two producers who were eying the remake rights to Tezaab. Murad Khetani fetched it for a little higher price than his counterpart. He plans to put the whole project together once he is done with the Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) sequel and the Thadam remake. He also has Namak Halal and Tezaab will be his fourth remake to be precise,” a source in the know informs a publication.
The makers plan to modernise the script keeping the essence of the original film intact. The remake of Tezaab will see two saleable actors front the cast. There is no knowing whether or not Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor will return to the remake.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.