After the huge success of her streaming show Maharani (2021), which marked her foray into the digital space, actress Huma Qureshi is now gearing up for the release of her next Hindi film Bell Bottom, which arrives in theatres on August 19.
Ever since the pandemic began, dozens of Bollywood films have released directly on streaming media platforms. Rumours were rife that Bell Bottom was also headed to a direct-to-digital before several state governments in India allowed theatres to reopen and the producers decided to release the film theatrically.
Nevertheless, Qureshi says that it is the need to adapt. “There are new ways of how people are consuming content. As an actor, my job is to act but if cinemas were shut, then we had to figure out a way to make films and to releasing them so that people still could consume them,” she told a publication.
Expressing happiness over the release of Bell Bottom in theatres, she said, “Some stories are meant for OTT and some are meant for theatrical release. They should get that and they deserve that. Let’s see what happens next. These are evolving times.”
The actress has got her bag full with several interesting projects which are going to keep her extremely busy for the next couple of months. “I will be shooting back-to-back projects. Shooting now is a whole new experience given the pandemic situation. You have to wear make-up and masks. The way we used to work before, we can’t do that anymore. But now, we have to find other ways of doing them which is slightly different, but safer. On the set, too, it is different but I have to give credit to film units and I just hope the pandemic is over properly real soon,” she signed off.
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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.