Last seen in the 2011 movie Tell Me O Kkhuda, actress Esha Deol is set to begin her second inning in showbiz, with an upcoming short film called Cakewalk. To be helmed by debutant Ram Kamal Mukherjee, the movie will see Deol in the role of a chef.
Esha reveals that Mukherjee got the idea of making Cakewalk while he was authoring a book on her mother Hema Malini. “The idea of making a film came into Ram Kamal’s mind while he was interviewing me for his book on my mother.”
“I always wanted to tell a story, it was just a matter of time,” says Ram Kamal. “It was actually Esha who inspired me to direct the film.”
Abhra Chakraborty, who has previously assisted National Award winning Bengali filmmaker Bappaditya Bandhopadhya in Elar Chaar Adhyay, will co-direct the film with Ram Kamal Mukherjee. “I have heard about dada (Ram Kamal) from Bappada. After Bappada’s sudden demise when I suddenly got a call from him to collaborate on a Hindi film, I immediately agreed,” says Abhra.
Model-turned-actor Tarun Malhotra will play the male lead in the short film. Talking about his selection, Ram Kamal says, “I met Tarun during my Stardust days, and since then I have seen his growth as a talent. He has worked with filmmakers like Pradeep Sarkar and Gaurie Shinde in commercials and played an antagonist in Jaanbaz Sindabad in ZEE TV. I wanted someone who can look young and matured at the same time.”
Cakewalk, which is being produced by Dinesh Gupta, Shailendra Kumar and Aritra Das, under the banner of Assorted Motion Pictures and S.S One Entertainments, will be shot extensively in Kolkata.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.