Sooraj Pancholi, the son of notoriously popular Bollywood actor Aditya Pancholi, is going through a never-ending rough patch in his professional life, it seems. The young actor made his acting debut with Salman Khan Films’ Hero in 2015. The movie was an official remake of cult Bollywood film Hero (1983), which launched Jackie Shroff in Hindi cinema. Despite having the backing of Salman Khan, the movie just did not click with the audience and tanked at the box-office, incurring heavy losses to the superstar.
It has been almost three years since the release of Hero, but Sooraj Pancholi is yet to see him on the big screen once again. After a long wait, things seemed to be taking a positive turn as the actor bagged T-Series Films’ Time To Dance. As the title aptly suggests, the movie was about dance. Besides Sooraj Pancholi, it also had debutante Isabelle Kaif, the younger sister of established Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif. Stanley D’Costa, the assistant of Remo D’Souza, was calling the shots for the project.
However, Time To Dance has been shelved after facing a series of delays. Isabelle Kaif, who was set to make her Bollywood debut with the film, will now be launched opposite Salman Khan’s brother-in-law Aayush Sharma in a film titled Kwatha. Filmmaker Karan Lalit Bhutani, who previously directed the Jimmy Sheirgill and Shriya Sharan starrer Phamous (2018), will call the shots for the project. Since Kwatha, which is a war film inspired from some true events, is being announced as the debut film of Isabelle, which means Time To Dance is not going to see the light of day ever. It clearly means that it’s time for Sooraj Pancholi to explore other opportunities.
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.