It will not be an exaggeration to say that Sacred Games by Netflix changed the entire landscape of the digital medium in India. The massive success of the thriller series proved that there is a huge audience for consuming web content in India, provided they get engaging, unique and well-told stories on their platter. Buoyed up by the success of Sacred Games, several new players forayed into the digital space, bringing about a revolution.
As mentioned above that the first season of Sacred Games emerged as a humongous success for the makers. Since the first season was such a huge hit, it was sort of obvious for them to pump in more funds in the production of the second season, and the same has happened.
According to reports, Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pankaj Tripathi starrer Sacred Games 2 has been produced on a staggering budget of ₹ 100 crore. If reports are true, then Sacred Games 2 could easily be called the most expensive web-series to have ever been produced in India.
A leading entertainment portal reveals, “Revealing the details, an industry insider says that while usually, each episode of an original could cost between Rs. 3- 4 cr with a total budget around the vicinity of Rs. 50 cr, Netflix has gone above and beyond for season 2.”
After the unprecedented success of the first season, the makers wanted that the second season of Sacred Games should up the first in terms of the complexity, which naturally will take the production cost up.
Directed by renowned filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, Sacred Games 2 is set for its grand premiere on 15th August. The season is highly anticipated not only in India but all across the world also.
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.