The upcoming Bollywood film Darlings, which marks Alia Bhatt’s debut as a producer, will have a direct-to-digital premiere on Netflix, skipping a theatrical release.
Bhatt, who began her acting career with Karan Johar’s college-caper Student Of The Year in 2012, today uploaded a video on Instagram wherein the cast of the film is heard in hushed tones discussing the premiere of Darlings on the streaming media giant.
Apart from bankrolling the film under Eternal Sunshine Productions and in association with Red Chillies Entertainment, Alia Bhatt also plays the female lead in the Jasmeet K Reen directorial. Such talented actors as Shefali Shah, Vijay Varma, and Roshan Mathew round out the cast. The film also brings together the hit pair of composer Vishal Bharadwaj and lyricist Gulzar.
Elated Alia Bhatt said in an official statement, “Darlings holds a very special place in my heart. It’s my first film as a producer that too with Red Chillies. We are very proud and happy how the film has shaped up and we hope it will entertain and engage audiences the world over.”
Director Jasmeet K Reen said, “I could not have asked for a better feature film debut —working with a pool of versatile and talented actors has been an absolute pleasure. I am delighted that Red Chillies and Eternal Sunshine are taking the film across the globe with Netflix.”
Pratiksha Rao, Director, Films and Licensing, Netflix India said, “At Netflix, we want to entertain our members with best-in-class films, across genres, made possible by collaborating with filmmakers who take big creative swings to tell diverse and compelling stories. With Darlings, we continue our long-standing partnership with Red Chillies Entertainment and are excited to be the home for Alia Bhatt’s first production. Darlings, by debut director Jasmeet K Reen, is a must-watch- a perfect storm of a riveting plot, fresh storytelling brought to life by powerful performances.”
Apart from Darlings, Alia Bhatt has a few more exciting projects on her plate. She is waiting for the release of the much-delayed fantasy adventure drama Brahmastra, which marks her first on-screen project with her husband Ranbir Kapoor. The Ayan Mukerji directorial also stars Amitabh Bachchan and Mouni Roy in lead roles.
Bhatt also headlines her mentor Karan Johar’s next directorial Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, which is currently in production. Ranveer Singh, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, and Jaya Bachchan also play pivotal parts in the much-awaited family entertainer.
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A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.