Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, who recently made his digital debut with Amazon Prime Video’s show Tandav (2021), is now gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Bhoot Police.
Made under the banners of Tips Industries and 12 Street Entertainment, the much-awaited horror-comedy revolves around two brothers Vibhooti and Chiraunji as they travel in their van throughout India hunting down and driving away ghosts and witches.
The trailer and songs of the film have received a positive response from the audience and now everyone is looking forward to the film’s release. Ahead of the release, Khan has opened about what attracted him to take on the project.
“I loved the script the first time I heard it. It was one of the most surprising entertaining scripts and very interesting character because of what he (Vibhooti) goes through,” Khan says in an interview.
He goes on to add, “From being an unbeliever to believer and various things. I liked the way he dressed, the world he is from, the accent he speaks in and the completely irreverent person and slightly twisted person Vibhooti is. It is an interesting character.”
In addition to Saif Ali Khan, Bhoot Police also stars Arjun Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Yami Gautam, Jaaved Jafri, and Jamie Lever in important roles. Directed by Pavan Kirpalani and produced by Ramesh Taurani and Akshai Puri, the film is set to release digitally on September 17, on Disney+ Hotstar.
Aside from Bhoot Police, Khan will also be seen portraying important characters in such hugely anticipated films as Bunty Aur Babli 2 and Adipurush. He also headlines the official remake of the superhit Tamil-language film Vikram Vedha (2017) alongside Hrithik Roshan.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.