According to reports, Bhumi Pednekar and Konkona Sen Sharma’s much-awaited film Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare is set to skip a theatrical release and premiere directly on an OTT platform instead.
Helmed by Alankrita Shrivastava, the upcoming film stars both actress as siblings and deals with a slew of social taboos. Buzz has it that producer Ekta Kapoor is in talks with some of the prominent OTT platforms to release the film online.
"Negotiations are on at this point and they will settle for the best deal they get. Bhumi and Konkona's film will definitely be releasing online but the team is currently just figuring out which digital giant they will sell it to. It all depends on the money each has to offer. Netflix and Amazon Prime are both in contention,” a source in the know informs.
Another trade source adds, "The film is mounted on a very small budget, like Alankrita's last film Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017). This is again a very socially relevant film, which caters to a particular target audience, which is also similar to what the OTT giants cater to. So it's a good move on the makers' part to sell it off. Theatres aren't showing any signs of reopening in the next two months at least and if all was well, Balaji had initially planned to release Bhumi and Konkona's movie around May itself."
Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare is ready for quite some time now. It has even been screened at various film festivals across the globe, including the Busan Film Festival and the Glasgow Film Festival. Bhumi Pednekar won her first international award at Busan Film Festival for her powerful performance in the movie.
An official announcement regarding the digital premiere of Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare is expected to arrive soon.
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.