By: Mohnish Singh
Varun Dhawan and filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, who have previously worked together on such box-office hits as Dishoom (2016) and Judwaa 2 (2017), are set to join forces again for their hat-trick film, titled Sanki.
If reports are to be believed, Parineeti Chopra, who is presently waiting for the release of her next film Saina (2021), has been approached to star opposite Varun Dhawan. However, she is yet to sign the project on the dotted line.
While there were no deets on the plotline of Sanki so far, we now hear that it is actually an official remake of Tamil neo-noir crime thriller Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (2016), written and directed by Karthick Naren.
"Sajid Nadiadwala had bought the official rights to the superhit Tamil thriller Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru. Sanki is a remake of the same film. They are adapting the screenplay to suit the pan-India platform,” a source in the know informs a publication.
The source goes on to add, “It is a cleverly crafted thriller, where Varun Dhawan plays a top cop who loses his leg during one of the investigations. It is challenging for Varun because he plays a character battling a physical handicap for the first time in his career.”
Sanki is expected to go before cameras after Varun Dhawan wraps up his ongoing films Bhediya and Jug Jugg Jeeyo, produced by Maddock Films and Dharma Productions respectively. The actor also has celebrated filmmaker Sriram Raghavan's next directorial Ekkis in his pocket, which he might kick-start right after finishing Sanki. More details on the upcoming project are expected to arrive soon.
Varun Dhawan was last seen in Coolie No. 1 (2020), co-starring Sara Ali Khan. Directed by his father David Dhawan, the comic-caper had a direct-to-digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.