Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone are set to team up together for the first time ever for the much-awaited upcoming film Fighter. To be directed by Siddharth Anand, the aerial-based action thriller reunites Roshan with the filmmaker after their successful outings War (2019) and Bang Bang (2014).
Set to be mounted on a lavish scale, Fighter was officially announced over a year ago. And if fresh reports are to be believed, the team is set to commence the first shooting schedule by August-end or early September.
A source close to the development informs a publication, “Hrithik Roshan is currently shooting for Vikram Vedha, which is expected to be wrapped up by May end. Soon after, he moves into the prep work of Fighter, in which he plays an Indian Air Force Officer. The body language training aside, Hrithik will also be getting into a perfect body type by losing some extra kilos that he gained for Vikram Vedha.”
Padukone too would have finished her prior commitments before commencing work on Fighter. “She is currently shooting for Pathan with Sidharth Anand and right after that, she jumps into Project K with Prabhas. The futuristic saga will be shot over a period of six to eight months in Hyderabad. Deepika is also expected to begin work on The Intern remake around July,” adds the source.
If reports are to be believed, Padukone is also in talks for multiple Hollywood films and the official announcement regarding her next Hollywood film is round the corner.
Siddharth Anand is also expected to wrap up the post-production work on Pathan by July before moving on to Fighter. He is planning to release the aerial-based action thriller on Gandhi Jayanti 2023 release.
“It is a four-day weekend and the team is looking to make the most of it. Both Bang Bang and War too had released during the Gandhi Jayanti weekend and it is going to be a hat-trick for the duo,” the source signs off.
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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.