By: Mohnish Singh
Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi, who was last seen in the Netflix dystopian drama Leila (2019), is gearing up to headline a new digital project. According to reports, the upcoming show is a political drama called Maharani, which will premiere on the leading streaming media platform, SonyLIV.
The high-profile show will reunite Qureshi with filmmaker Subhash Kapoor. The actress has previously worked with the successful filmmaker on the 2017 courtroom drama Jolly LLB 2. Also starring Akshay Kumar in the lead role, the film was a huge commercial and critical success at the box-office.
According to reports, Qureshi has already signed the project on the dotted line. She will portray the lead role in the show. There is no update on the casting of the rest of the cast. Maharani will mark Kapoor’s debut in the web-space.
Meanwhile, Huma Qureshi recently wrapped up her next Bollywood film Bell Bottom. Directed by Ranjit M Tewari, the spy thriller also stars Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, and Lara Dutta in significant roles. It was the first Hindi film to begin production in August after all shooting activities came to a screeching halt in March due to the onslaught of the Coronavirus pandemic. Produced by Pooja Entertainment and Emmay Entertainment, Bell Bottom is slated to arrive in theatres on 2nd April, 2021.
Qureshi also plays the lead role in Tamil action thriller Valimai. She has been paired opposite Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar in the film produced by Boney Kapoor. The actress also portrays an important character in the upcoming American zombie heist film Army of the Dead.
An official announcement on her digital show Maharani is highly awaited. Keep visiting this space for more updates from the world of entertainment.
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.