By: Mohnish Singh
Rumours were doing the rounds lately that the makers of Merry Christmas, which stars Katrina Kaif and renowned Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles, have decided to put the project on hold for some time.
However, producer Ramesh Taurani confirms that his team is set to take the film on floors in mid-May. Talking to a publication, Taurani said, “Yes, we plan to start shooting from mid-May to September. We start with Mumbai and follow it up with Goa and Pune towards the end.”
Sharing more details on the upcoming project, a source close to the development tells the publication, “All the groundwork and pre-production is completed and the team is now awaiting a go-ahead from the government to start their shoot. The film will kick-off around May 15, in Mumbai with Katrina and Vijay. Most of the film will be shot in the city, followed by brief schedules in Pune and Goa.”
Buzz has it that Katrina Kaif will be shooting for Merry Christmas and Yash Raj Films Tiger 3 opposite Salman Khan at the same time. And after wrapping up both the films by the month of September, she will move on to kick-start filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar’s superhero flick Super Soldier. Well-known filmmaker Shriram Raghavan has been roped in to direct Merry Christmas.
Apart from Tiger 3, Merry Christmas and Super Solider, Katrina Kaif also stars in Excel Entertainment’s next production venture Phone Bhoot. Directed by Gurmmeet Singh, the horror-comedy film also stars newcomers Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi in principal roles.
Kaif was last seen on the silver screen in the period drama Bharat (2020). Co-starring superstar Salman Khan, the film performed commercially well at the ticket window.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy world of entertainment.
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.