Alia Bhatt is set to add a new feather to her cap. After ruling Bollywood for almost a decade, she is now ready to set her foot in Hollywood with Netflix’s upcoming spy thriller Heart Of Stone, which was officially announced a couple of months ago.
Bhatt on Thursday said that she feels like “a newcomer all over again” as she begins filming for her Hollywood debut.
For the uninitiated, Heart Of Stone also features Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot and Belfast star Jamie Dornan on the cast.
Bhatt, who completes a decade in Indian cinema this year, shared the work update with her fans and followers on Instagram.
“And off I go to shoot my first ever Hollywood film! Feel like a newcomer all over again – so nervous! Wish me luck (sic),” the 29-year-old star captioned the post with a selfie.
It is currently unknown where Bhatt is travelling to shoot for the film. Details about her character are also under wraps at the moment.
Heart of Stone will be directed by Tom Harper from a script penned by Greg Rucka and Allison Schroeder.
According to the official logline, the film revolves around Rachel Stone (Gadot) an intelligence operative, the only woman who stands between her powerful, global, peace-keeping organisation and the loss of its most valuable — and dangerous — asset.
The film is produced by Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger, along with Mockingbird's Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn, and Gadot and Jaron Varsano's Pilot Wave banner. Harper, Rucka, and Patty Whitcher serve as executive producers.
Bhatt was recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), which turned out to be a big success at the box office. She next stars in Dharma Productions’ Brahmastra, alongside her husband, actor Ranbir Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Mouni Roy. The actress is also working with Karan Johar on his next directorial Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.
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.