By: Mohnish Singh
A couple of days ago, we reported that Katrina Kaif is set to join forces with hit filmmaker Sriram Raghavan for a new film. The yet-to-be-titled project will also star well-known Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi in an important role, marking his silver screen debut in Hindi cinema.
Fresh reports on the forthcoming project reveal that it will begin production in the month of April and will have a duration of just 90-minutes and no interval. Yes, you read that absolutely right!
Spilling some more beans, a source close to the development tells an entertainment portal, “It is yet another film from Sriram that would keep the viewers on the edge of their seat, and this time around, he is planning it as a straight 90-minute film. In fact, the story is written in a way that it does not even warrant an interval. It is going to follow a fast-paced pattern of storytelling, that Sriram is synonymous with, and there won’t be any breaks in between.”
The source goes on to add, “It is going to be a well-planned schedule with maximum edit work done in the script itself. While many filmmakers prefer to have a prolonged schedule with excessive stock footage, with Sriram, what he shoots is what will translate on the screen. He is being sure on the stuff he wants to film with the leading pair, more so in the Covid times, to avoid being outdoors for a longer period.”
Meanwhile, Katrina Kaif is gearing up to kick-start her next Tiger 3 with Salman Khan in March, as per reports. Khan and Kaif return to reprise their roles of Avinash Singh “Tiger” Rathore and Zoya respectively in the third installment of the Tiger franchise. The actress has also teamed up with filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar for a superhero flick franchise for Netflix.
Keep visiting this space for more updates from the world of entertainment.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.