European fashion brand Produkt by Jack & Jones has entered the Indian market under the fashion house of Bestseller India. The brand has roped in young Bollywood actor Ishaan Khatter as the brand ambassador.
Meant for today’s confident, urban men, Produkt will be exclusively available across Reliance Retail-owned Trends stores and e-commerce website Ajio. The brand is banking on Reliance Retail’s unmatched footprint coupled with Khatter’s popularity to drive sales of its products in the Indian market.
Commenting on the launch, Vineet Gautam CEO and country head of Bestseller India in a statement said, “In a fashion-forward country like ours, it is important to stay relevant and create fashion solutions for everyone! And for us, PRODUKT does just that! It taps into a category of the audience who are early adopters of fashion and are not afraid to experiment with their looks.”
He added, “Furthermore, we are excited to partner with Reliance Retail, their retail footprint via Trends and strong digital presence through Ajio provides for a great platform for us to showcase Produkt. As the face of the brand, Ishaan Khatter’s personality of being effortlessly stylish coupled with his charismatic attitude completely synergizes with the brand DNA of Produkt.”
Ishaan Khatter, the face of the brand, said, “It has been an absolute pleasure to partner with PRODUKT by Jack & Jones. The brand offers a fashion range that has a unique combination of comfortable yet edgy, laid back but so trendy, and I love it! It perfectly resonates with my style and I am looking forward to this association.”
On the work front, Ishaan Khatter next will be seen in Excel Entertainment’s upcoming horror-comedy film Phone Bhoot, also featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Katrina Kaif on the cast. He will follow Phone Bhoot with RSVP Movies’ war-drama Pippa. The film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Priyanshu Painyuli.
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.