Sajid Nadiadwala, one of the leading producers in Bollywood, recently announced his next production venture with actor Kartik Aaryan. Days after the official announcement of the film, news emerged that Shraddha Kapoor was set to star alongside Aaryan in the film.
However, a couple of weeks later, it emerged that the makers had signed Kiara Advani to play the female lead. Now, a leading entertainment portal reports that the makers dropped the idea of casting Shraddha Kapoor as she was demanding a hefty paycheque as her remuneration.
"Sajid was very keen on getting Shraddha alongside Kartik in the film, as that would have resulted in a fresh pairing. However, he was taken aback and shocked when Shraddha Kapoor quoted ₹10 crores (approximately £987,086) to be a part of the film. While the producer usually never negotiates with his actors, he was surprised with Shraddha's acting fees as she had last worked with Sajid recently on Baaghi 3 (2020) for a nominal sum of ₹4 crore (approximately £394,900),” a trade source informs the publication.
After negotiations did not work out with Kapoor, Nadiadwala went ahead to sign Advani for approximately £345,382. “Sajid gave a final offer of ₹7.5 crores (approximately 740,100) to Shraddha Kapoor. However, the actress and her team remained adamant on the double-digit remuneration. Sajid eventually decided to move on and sign Kiara Advani, who is currently on a high, for the film. The actress has been signed for an approximate sum of Rs. 3.5 crores (approximately 345,382,” adds the trade source.
The source says that Nadiadwala is happy to cast Advani in the film. “He is happy with Kiara Advani and has signed her for a premium amount, that's slightly more than her market value. Kiara usually charges anywhere between ₹2 to 2.5 crores (approximately £197,396 to 246,676) for a project,” the source says in conclusion.
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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.