Actress Shalini Pandey, who burst onto the scene with her endearing performance in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s romantic drama Arjun Reddy (2017), will set her foot in Bollywood with Yash Raj Films’ much-awaited offering Jayeshbhai Jordaar. Directed by debutant filmmaker Divyang Thakkar, the social comedy film sees superstar Ranveer Singh opposite the newcomer.
Pandey, who is celebrating her birthday today, has one wish for herself – she hopes for theatres to reopen across India so that audiences can see her film Jayeshbhai Jordaar on the silver screen. For the uninitiated, the film was set to release last year, but the coronavirus pandemic threw a wrench into the works and the film is yet to find its way into cinemas.
“I have been crazily looking forward to the release for more than a year now and I cannot wait for audiences to see the film. I know it is a good film and I also know it is a very special film which we have made with so much love and dedication. Of course, every film is made with love and dedication, however, because this is my first film (big screen Hindi debut), the experience is really big and emotional for me and I cannot wait for the film to release because I know people are going to love the film and the characters,” Pandey says.
She goes on to add, “Also, I cannot wait for theatres to open, because I want people to go to theatres, even I want to go back to theatres and watch the film there on the big screen as this film has its own journey, and I want people to experience it as soon as possible. I literally cannot wait. It is so special and I get excited every time when I think about the film releasing.”
Even before the release of Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Shalini Pandey has become the blue-eyed girl of YRF. Impressed by her powerful acting skills, the production giant has signed a three-film deal with the actress.
“Working with YRF with a 3-film contract is a big deal. It is a big launchpad for sure. It is a dream come true. I have grown up watching Yash Raj Films, and I always wanted to be a YRF heroine. My parents are very happy because they have been obviously watching a lot of movies, especially my dad, he has always loved watching films. I could not have imagined it, to be very honest. It happened all of a sudden, with Jayeshbhai, and it has started with a very special film,” she says in conclusion.
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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.