The month of September is here and after the grand success of Gadar 2, OMG2, and Dream Girl 2 in August, everyone is hopeful that this month will also deliver multiple hits for Bollywood. There are a number of high-profile films slated to enter cinemas in September 2023. Some of them have been generating excitement among audiences even before their official announcement. Take a look at the list that contains 5 much-awaited Bollywood films releasing in September and mark your calendars for the film that excites you the most.
Jawan
Featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara in the lead roles, Jawan is one of the most-awaited films of 2023. Khan’s second release of the year after the blockbuster success of Pathaan in January, Jawan is directed by Atlee Kumar and sees the superstar in a double role. The film is produced by Gauri Khan and also stars Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra, Ridhi Dogra, and Yogi Babu in important roles. Besides, Deepika Padukone will be also seen in a cameo role. Jawan enters cinemas on September 7.
Haddi
Helmed by Akshat Ajay Sharma, Haddi is a revenge drama featuring award-winning actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the role of a transgender. Anurag Kashyap, Mohammed Zeeshan, Ila Arun, and Saurabh Sachdeva also essay important characters in the film. Haddi premiers on ZEE5 on the same day as Jawan – September 7.
Jaane Jaan
After ruling the silver screen for over two decades, Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan is set to make her streaming debut this month with the upcoming film Jaane Jaan. Also featuring Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma in central roles, the film is said to be the official adaptation of the bestselling novel Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, Jaane Jaan premieres on September 21 only on Netflix.
Sukhee
Starring Shilpa Shetty, Kusha Kapila, Dilnaaz Irani, Chiatannya Choudhary, Pavleen Gujral, and Amit Sadh in lead roles, Sukhee marks the directorial debut of Sonal Joshi. The film is jointly produced by T-Series Films and Abundantia Entertainment. It is slated to release on September 22.
The Great Indian Family
Made under the banner of Yash Raj Films, The Great Indian Family stars Vicky Kaushal and Manushi Chhillar in lead roles. Kaushal plays the role of Bhajan Kumar in the film which focuses on the chaos that erupts in his family as a result of unexpected events that are out of their control. Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, the film is due in cinemas on September 22.
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.