By: Mohnish Singh
Katrina Kaif, who has worked with several leading filmmakers of her time, is now set to join forces with acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan for a nail-biting suspense thriller titled Merry Christmas.
The project is yet to get off the ground, but it has already been creating quite a buzz ever since producer Ramesh Taurani confirmed it is in the works at Tips Industries. Said to be a fast-paced suspense thriller that will keep the audience on the edge of their seat from the word go, the film also features well-known Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role. The casting of Kaif and Sethupathi in a Sriram Raghavan directorial has piqued audiences’ excitement to another level.
Merry Christmas was earlier slated to commence production in mid-May. However, the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in India played a spoilsport and the makers had to change their plans last minute. The team is now looking at kick-starting the shoot in June.
“We are looking at June. Now the planning will happen, only after the lockdown is over. We do not have a date as yet because everything right now is shut. We cannot even shoot anywhere else as 90 per cent of India is in a state of lockdown. But in the near future, maybe in a week or two, we will decide on the future plan of action,” producer Ramesh Taurani told a publication. The film will go on floors in Mumbai followed by a schedule in Pune and Goa each.
Meanwhile, Katrina Kaif is awaiting the release of her film Sooryavanshi which has been pushed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic. She has also completed Excel Entertainment’s horror-comedy Phone Boot, alongside Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi.
Kaif was shooting for Yash Raj Films’ Tiger 3 with Salman Khan before testing positive for Covid-19. When she recovered, all shooting activities had halted due to the second wave of the pandemic. The actress will soon reteam with filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar for a superhero flick reportedly set at Netflix.
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.