Rumours were rife lately that Amber Heard’s time as Mera in DC Films’ much-anticipated Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has been cut down to just 2 minutes after she lost the much-publicized defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp.
The rumour mill is in full flow yet again and states that the makers have booted Heard out completely and have signed Emilia Clarke as her replacement.
In an exciting scoop by YouTuber Syl Abdul, it is claimed by his source that scenes involving the character of Mera are being reshot with Clarke.
The source who first told Ben Affleck was on set and going to be in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom as Batman also shared someone was there in the costumes of Mera, although they did not see who it was.
There have been rumours for quite some time that Warner Bros. was trying to find a way to remove Heard from the film. After she lost the defamation trial to Depp, several leading studios have been trying to maintain distance from her.
Even during his testimony at the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard defamation trial, DC Films’ President, Walter Hamada revealed that they tried to remove Heard from the film and the reason was given her “lack of chemistry” with the leading man, Jason Momoa.
Hamada went on to reveal that the role of Mera was about to be offered to another actress. However, he did not mention which actress.
“It was the concerns that were brought up at the wrap of the first movie, production of the first movie, which is the issue of chemistry, did the two have the chemistry. I think editorially they were able to make that relationship work in the first movie, but there was a concern that it took a lot of effort to get there and would we be better off recasting, finding someone that had a little bit more natural chemistry with Jason Momoa and move forward with that actor,” Hamada said.
However, soon a publication quoted a source as sayings, “The idea of having Emilia (Clarke) play Mera in the sequel was floated inside Warners, but ultimately, the decision to minimize the role was taken and Heard was optioned for the sequel.”
But if fresh reports are to be believed, it seems the makers have finally removed Heard and signed Clarke who is secretly shooting for the film at the moment. This is why the makers have been continuously delaying the film’s release.
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.