By: Mohnish Singh
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who was last seen in Netflix’s film Mrs. Serial Killer (2020), is ready to set her foot in Hollywood. The actress has bagged a plum role in the upcoming anthology film Women’s Stories which will mark her debut in Hollywood.
Fernandez, who hails from Sri Lanka but has built a successful career in Bollywood, will star alongside Cara Delevingne, Eva Longoria, Marcia Gay Harden, Leonor Varela, Margherita Bua among others in the forthcoming anthology film. She will be part of the film called Sharing A Ride which will be directed by Leena Yadav. It will feature Fernandez and transgender model Anjali Lama in primary roles.
A leading international publication reported, “The film will be comprised of six segments directed by female directors from different parts of the world, shot in Italy, India and the U.S. They will range in genre from drama to comedy, docudrama to animation. Cast will be all female.”
Andrea Iervolino, President and founder of Iervolino Entertainment, said in a statement to the same publication, “It gives me tremendous pride to collaborate with such an astounding ensemble and to help deliver a message larger than the film itself. It is important for us that this be done on a global scale, which is why we are shooting, very carefully and safely, in Italy, India, and the US.”
Iervolino Entertainment and non-profit production company We Do It Together have joined forces to produce Women’s Stories along with Chiara Tilesi, Andrea Iervolino, Lucas Akoskin, and Monika Bacardi. Carol Polakoff serves as Executive Producer.
In a statement to the same publication, Chiara Tilesi, founder and President of We Do It Together, said, “At We Do It Together, our mission is to enhance and change the image of women in films and media, from object to subject. We are dedicated to telling stories of women, both in front of and behind the camera. That’s why Women Stories is so important to us – we have brought together female directors, from all over the world, who collaborate and share personal stories from their own point of view. We are telling the stories of these heroines and their aspirations: from health workers to mothers, artists, and businesswomen, to name a few.”
On the Bollywood front, Jacqueline Fernandez will next be seen in Attack, Bhoot Police, Cirkus, and Bachchan Pandey. Keep visiting this space 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.