Starring Sidharth Malhotra in the lead role, Shershaah is one of the most awaited Bollywood films currently. The project has suffered several setbacks ever since its official announcement in 2019, and the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 further derailed its progress.
A few days ago, a news portal carried an interview of Shabbir Boxwala, who is co-producing Shershaah along with Dharma Productions’ Karan Johar. The headline of the said interview suggested that the war-drama film was set to premiere on a streaming media platform, bypassing theatrical release.
Boxwala was quoted as saying that there was no other option available than to release the film on a streaming media platform. However, when an entertainment portal contacted the producer, he claimed that Shershaah is not having a direct-to-digital release.
“No decision has been made in this regard and I have clearly said that in the interview as well. The film is not even ready. Once it is complete, Dharma Productions will take a decision on its release,” he said.
When asked when the film can be expected to arrive in theatres, the producer said, “Right now, it is a question mark.”
Directed by Vishnu Vardhan, Shershaah is a biographical war-drama film based on the life of Param Vir Chakra awardee and army captain Vikram Batra, who martyred in the 1999 Indo-Pak war in Kargil.
Malhotra plays a dual role in the upcoming film. Actor Kiara Advani also plays an important character. The film was initially scheduled to hit theatres on July 3, 2020. The makers had to postpone its release due to the coronavirus pandemic. They locked July 2, 2021, as its new release date, but the second wave of the pandemic threw all plans into total disarray.
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Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.