By: Mohnish Singh
Over the past few years, we have seen a host of prominent names from Bollywood jumping off the big screen and making high-profile debuts on various streaming media platforms. Joining the bandwagon in 2021 will be superstar Hrithik Roshan, who is reportedly set to foray into the digital world with the official remake of the highly successful British TV series The Night Manager.
The latest update on the upcoming project suggests that Junior Roshan will commence work on the same in the month of April. The superstar, who was last seen in Yash Raj Films’ big-ticket action extravaganza WAR (2019), will be stepping into the shoes of Tom Hiddleston’s role. Sandeep Modi, who previously co-directed Hotstar Specials’ critically and commercially successful web-show Aarya (2020), has come on board to helm the remake.
Sharing more details on the first shooting schedule of the web-series, a source in the know tells an Indian publication, “Hrithik is looking at a packed 2021. The production house, Banijay Asia, has charted out a two-month Mumbai schedule for the series. The international stints will naturally have to be held off until the travel restrictions ease.”
After wrapping up the two-month-long schedule for The Night Manager remake, Roshan will reunite with WAR director Siddharth Anand to kick-start their next film Fighter. His co-star Deepika Padukone is expected to wrap up Pathan by then. This is the first time when Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone have collaborated on a film.
Besides the remake of The Night Manager and Fighter, Junior Roshan has Krrish 4 on his platter. The sci-fi film, to be directed by his father Rakesh Roshan, is expected to start rolling next year in 2022. Senior Roshan is presently busy fine-tuning the script.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy world of entertainment.
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.