By: Mohnish Singh
The Producers’ Guild of India, the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), the three leading cine bodies working in Bollywood, have decided to organise a wide-scale vaccination drive for its members.
The six-day programme will be held at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai and will begin June 1. The unions are collectively aiming to inoculate close to 10,000 people. There could be an increase in the vaccine rollout, depending on the turnout.
Manish Goswami, vice-president, the Producers’ Guild of India, says, “We are targeting close to 5,000 people. Those registered on Co-WIN can receive their vaccination at the venue. This is being done in association with Bhakti Vedanta Hospital, and each jab is priced at ₹1,000 (approximately £9.72). The cost is being borne by the respective production houses.”
According to reports, nearly 25 leading production houses, including Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment and Rohit Shetty’s Rohit Shetty Picturez, have signed up for the initiative.
The cast and crew members of leading streaming media platforms like Netflix India and Amazon Prime Video India are also expected to participate in the drive.
Siddharth Roy Kapur, president, the Producers’ Guild of India, adds, “An activity of such magnitude cannot be carried out single-handedly. We are grateful for the support we have received, especially from Excel Entertainment, which played a pivotal role in securing the vaccines, and Mehboob Productions, which generously offered complimentary use of the spacious Mehboob Studios.”
The IFTDA and FWICE will conduct their parallel immunisation camp for 5,000 members at the Federation office in Andheri. “We have tied up with Surya Hospital, and will start the drive between June 10 and 15. All producers, technicians and workers will be eligible. The initiative has been organised by the Federation and sponsored by me,” says Ashoke Pandit, president, IFTDA.
The second wave of coronavirus infections in India has turned out to be devastating for the country. After reporting close to 400,000 positive cases per day earlier in May, the country has now started witnessing a significant drop in new infections. By inoculating as many members as possible, cine bodies are hoping to facilitate safer shooting once production resumes most probably in July.
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.