Last seen in Dharma Productions’ blockbuster comic-caper Good Newwz (2019) alongside Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kiara Advani, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has not signed many projects in Bollywood. His next release will be director Abhishek Sharma’s Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari.
Apart from Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, Dosanjh has not announced any new project in 2020. But if the latest reports are to be believed, the singer-actor has given his nod to star in filmmaker Shaad Ali’s quirky rom-com, based on male pregnancy.
Spilling more beans on the upcoming project, a source in the know informs an entertainment portal, “Shaad had been working on this script which is based on male pregnancy. Although it is essentially a love story, the quirk element in the film is about the leading man getting pregnant, instead of the actress. Although there is a Punjabi film around the same topic, this is not a remake of the same project since the narrative here is completely different from that. Only the male pregnancy angle is similar but Shaad's film is more of a love story that ends up in a comedy of errors. When Shaad called Diljit and narrated him the whole idea, he absolutely loved it. In fact, he immediately agreed to do the film.”
The source goes on to add that Diljit will allot his dates to Shaad Ali after returning from the US. “When the COVID outbreak started in the country, Diljit was already in San Francisco and he is not back yet. Although Shaad's movie will also be his immediate next, they have not zeroed in on the dates as yet. He has been signed on as the main lead and now. They are working out the dates for the film to be rolled out. They are also looking at casting a popular actress from the younger generation opposite him,” the source concludes.
The untitled project will reunite Diljit Dosanjh and Shaad Ali after Soorma (2018), a sports biopic based on hockey player Sandeep Singh.
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.