Joaquin Phoenix immortalised the role of Joker in the Todd Phillips directorial, co-written by Scott Silver. The film earned him a Best Actor Oscar trophy.
The makers are now working on Joker 2. Phillips confirmed the sequel in June 2022 with an Instagram post teasing the title.
It was also confirmed that it will be a musical titled Folie a Deux. Harley Quinn will also be in the upcoming installment. In addition to Phoenix, the upcoming musical also features Lady Gaga. The Academy Award winner will be taking on the role opposite Phoenix’s Joker as love interest Quinn.
When the makers announced Gaga’s casting, the news was received with a mixed response. Some people were happy with her casting while others were disappointed.
Several other actresses have taken up the role. The most iconic one is Margot Robbie’s. She appeared as Dr. Harleen Quinzel in a few DC films like The Suicide Squad.
Recently, The Suicide Squad director James Gunn reacted to Gaga landing the role in Joker 2. Upon being asked to share his thoughts on Gaga playing Harley Quinn in Joker 2, Gunn took to his Instagram Stories to reply to the question.
“I’m really interested to see what Todd Phillips cooks up,” The Suicide Squad director said. “I met Lady Gaga once, and she was really nice, so I’m always rooting for nice people to do well.”
Recently, a publication revealed that Zazie Beetz is in talks to join Joker: Folie a Deux. She would reprise her role as Sophie Dumond that she played in the original Joker movie from 2019, although nothing has been finalized yet with her appearance in the sequel.
Joker: Folie a Deux is set to hit the marquee on October 4, 2024, from Warner Bros.
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.