Veteran writer-lyricist Gulzar says his heart was filled with joy when he got the opportunity to collaborate with popular singer KK on a track titled 'Dhoop paani bahne de' from Srijit Mukherji's Hindi film Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga.
Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, died last week at the age of 53 due to a massive cardiac arrest after a concert in Kolkata.
Gulzar, who first worked with the playback singer on his 1996 directorial venture Maachis, said the recently released song will always remain special to him.
“Srijit has done me a favour in ‘Sherdil'. Not only did I get to write for such a beautiful film, I got to meet KK after ages. KK had first sung a song of mine in Maachis, ‘Chhor Aye Hum Woh Galiya...'. When he came to sing the song for Sherdil, it filled my heart with joy but it's a shame that this had to go down as one of his last songs. It's like he came to say goodbye,” the 87-year-old lyricist said in a statement.
KK was best known for his unforgettable film tracks like "Tadap Tadap", "Beete Lamhein", "Aankhon Mein Teri" as well as indie-pop songs "Pal" and "Yaaraon".
Mukherji said getting the combination of Gulzar and KK for his film is a dream come true. “We have grown up on Gulzar saab's poetry. We have grown up befriending KK's voice in every matter of the heart. So, it is a double dream come true for me,” he said.
Inspired by true events, Sherdil... is billed as a family entertainer and brings forth an insightful story about the adverse effects of urbanization, man-animal conflict, and poverty leading to a bizarre practice in a village that resides on the edge of a forest.
It stars Pankaj Tripathi, Neeraj Kabi, and Sayani Gupta in lead roles. The song “Dhoop paani bahne de” was launched by T-Series and Reliance Entertainment along with Match Cut Productions on Monday night. Shantanu Moitra has composed the track.
According to Moitra, KK was excited about the song and sang it like "his own". "He told me this song has given Gulzar sahib back to him after two decades. He was also excited that he would sing this song in live concerts because it talks about conservation and the youth needs to listen to this.”
Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga is scheduled to be released in cinema halls on June 24.
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.