After the success of “Ek Villain Returns”, Bollywood star John Abraham is once again armed and dangerous as the antagonist of the upcoming action film “Pathaan”.
The movie is headlined by superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who returns to the big screen after a gap of five years. Directed by Siddharth Anand of “War” fame, “Pathaan” also stars Deepika Padukone.
Abraham shared his first look from the film in a Twitter post on Thursday.
“The mission of a lifetime is about to start. Celebrate #Pathaan with #YRF50 only at a big screen near you on 25th January, 2023. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu,” he wrote.
The hero is only as good as the villain, said Anand.
“John Abraham is the antagonist, the villain of ‘Pathaan’. And I have always believed in the fact that the villain’s projection should be as big, if not bigger than that of the hero’s.
“Only when the villain is massive, can the tussle between them be spectacular. And we have an extraordinary battle when SRK takes on John! We wanted to present John in a super slick avatar,” the director said in a statement.
The release of Abraham’s first glimpse as the villain comes a month after the makers unveiled Padukone’s look.
Anand, also known for “Bang Bang!”, “Bachna Ae Haseeno”, and “Salaam Namaste”, said the audience has only seen the tip of the iceberg with the posters of the “Pathaan” star cast.
“Every announcement of ‘Pathaan’ is like revealing a piece of an epic puzzle, in front of the curious eyes of the fans and audiences, leading right up to our release day. “We aspire for every asset of ‘Pathaan’ to be a big talking point mainly because, we, fortunately, have the content to create that buzz… I can assure you that nothing can prepare you for the action spectacle that is coming your way,” he added.
A Yash Raj Films production, the movie is slated to hit the screens on January 25 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
(PTI)
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.