After the huge success of WAR (2019), Hrithik Roshan has not greenlighted his next project. Though he is surely playing the much-loved character of Krrish in the fourth installment of his father Rakesh Roshan’s ambitious sci-fi franchise Krrish, there is no update on as to when the project will start rolling as it is still at the scripting stage.
Hrithik has been offered multiple projects over the past few months, but he is not in a hurry to pick up any random film. We hear that he has been using the lockdown period to carry out meetings with a lot of makers. And if reports are to be believed, he is in talks to headline the Indian adaptation of the popular British television series The Night Manager (2016).
Spilling some more beans, a source informs a publication, “He is indeed doing all his meetings on Zoom calls. Hrithik is quite adept at using technology and loves to use it for work. He is still waiting for the confirmation of the other character of the arms dealer Richard Roper that was played by Laurie. Even Tom Hollander had an important role in the series along with Adeel Akhtar. It is not sure whether Hrithik will take up the show or not, but it depends on the final packaging of the show.”
Helmed by Susanne Bier, The Night Manager is an award-winning thriller featuring Tom Hiddleston, David Harewood, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, and Elizabeth Debicki. The six-part series is based on the 1993 novel of the same name by John le Carré. The series is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
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.