A couple of days ago, we reported that Zoya Akhtar is planning to make a documentary chronicling the eventful career of his father, veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar and his writing partner Salim Khan.
The latest update on the much-talked-about project is that it has been given the title of Angry Young Men. Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar will bankroll the documentary under their respective banners Salman Khan Films, Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films. Namrata Rao has been tapped to direct.
Announcing the news, noted trade analyst and film critic Taran Adarsh tweeted that Salman Khan, Excel Entertainment, and Tiger Baby Films join hands for Salim-Javed documentary, titled Angry Young Men. In the following tweet, he added, “Directed by Namrata Rao, the documentary Angry Young Men will capture the magic of the era that Salim-Javed created together.”
“Angry Young Men will be produced by Salman Khan Films, Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby. It is basically Javed Akhtar's kids collaborating with Salim Khan's son. This would mark the first collaboration of Salman with the Akhtars,” a source in the know informed an entertainment portal.
The same source went on to add that if the documentary garners great response from the audience, the three might even toy around with the idea of spinning a full-length feature film around the lives of these two writing stalwarts.
Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, the scriptwriter duo who went by the name Salim-Javed, have given Indian cinema some of its most iconic films, including Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Zanjeer (1973), Deewar (1975), Sholay (1975), Don (1978), and Mr India (1987) to name a few. They are arguably the most successful Indian screenwriters that the Hindi film industry has produced.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the 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.