Rumours were rife of late that Salman Khan was planning a new film for brother-in-law Aayush Sharma who made his Bollywood debut with Salman Khan Films’ romcom LoveYatri (2018). The latest we hear that the project has been titled Kwatha and will also feature newcomer Isabelle Kaif in the lead role.
Isabelle Kaif is the younger sister of leading Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif. After helping Kat establish her foothold in the industry, Salman Khan has now come forward to help her younger sister as well. Isabelle will make her silver screen debut with Kwatha. Earlier, she was set to enter Bollywood with a dance film called Time To Dance opposite Sooraj Pancholi. However, that project has now hit a roadblock.
“The team was looking for a pretty girl who can act well. That is when they thought of Isabelle. She was looking for her second film after Time To Dance and when she was narrated this script, she fell in love with the subject. Although there is a slight romantic angle between the two actors, this is more than just a love story. But Isabelle’s character has a strong part in motivating Aayush’s character forward in Kwatha,” said a source close to the development.
Inspired by true events, the film will show how few incidents change a man’s opinion and perspective on certain things. Kwatha is produced by Sunil Jain and Aditya Joshi of Cult Entertainment. The film will begin its first schedule in September. Karan Lalit Butani will be helming the project. “They plan to roll the film around September. They will be shooting in Arunachal Pradesh and the recce is currently on”.
Kwatha will enter theatres in 2020.
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.