In 2017, Vidya Balan won millions of hearts with her sweet endearing performance in T-Series Films’ slice-of-life movie Tumhari Sulu and picked her sixth Filmfare Award in the Best Actress category. In 2019, when she returned to the silver screen with sci-fi Mission Mangal, after a gap of one and a half year, she made sure she weaves her magic on celluloid once again.
Mission Mangal has turned out to be an instant hit and Vidya Balan is currently riding high on its huge success. Directed by debutant filmmaker Jagan Shakti, the film has been doing phenomenal business ever since hitting the marquee on 15th August. After zooming past the much-publicised club of ₹ 100 crore in no time, Mission Mangal is now aiming to breach ₹ 150 crore in the next few days.
Also starring Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, Kirti Kulhari and Sharman Joshi in principal roles, the film is loosely based on scientists at ISRO who contributed to the Mars Orbiter Mission.
After essaying the character of Project Director Tara Shinde in Mission Mangal, Vidya Balan is now gearing up to begin work on her next film. Her next is a biopic based on the life of Indian mathematician and the ‘human computer’ Shakuntala Devi. The untitled film will be directed by Anu Menon.
When asked what led her to sign the film, Vidya Balan said in an interview, “I will get a bob to look the part. So the curly bob and my classic South Indian face is a good match for the part. What drew me to the subject was her magnetic personality and the life that she led. I am playing her from her early 20s till the fag end of her career.”
The film is scheduled to buzz into theatres in 2020.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.