The Coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 35,000 innocent lives across the world, has brought every one of us to our knees. With the 21-day lockdown imposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi still in place, Bollywood celebrities are staying inside their homes practising social distancing and self-quarantining like the rest of us.
It seems Jacqueline Fernandez, who has been missing from the silver screen for quite some time now, has already started preparing for what she needs to do right after the lockdown is lifted. According to reports, the actress will finish shooting for an untitled film, which marks her debut in Tollywood.
Jacqueline Fernandez has been paired opposite Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan in the forthcoming film. It will be directed by successful filmmaker Krish Jagarlamudi. The actress will only have 40 days to shoot the movie. If reports are to be believed, she had already met Kalyan and Jagarlamudi to discuss the production of the film before the Coronavirus outbreak hit us hard.
According to reports, the yet to be titled film is a period drama. The makers are planning to mount the movie on a huge scale and magnificent sets will be erected to shoot the film and achieve the grand scale.
Jacqueline Fernandez was last seen in Remo D’Souza’s action entertainer Race 3 (2018) opposite superstar Salman Khan. The film fell flat at the box-office and Fernandez failed to bag exciting projects afterwards.
She will next be seen in a Netflix film called Mrs. Serial Killer, helmed by Shrish Kunder. Also starring Manoj Bajpayee and Mohit Raina in important roles, the series is scheduled for its premiere in 2020.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.