John Abraham is on the crest of a wave right now. He is busy garnering appreciation and adulation coming his way from various corners for a power-packed performance in his latest offering Batla House (2019).
Inspired by true events of the infamous Batla House encounter of 2008, the thriller had the actor in the role of ACP Sanjay Kumar who spearheaded the operation. Not only the audience but critics also showered praises on the actor for delivering an outstanding performance in the flick.
After the huge success of the Nikkhil Advani directorial at the cash counter, John is now looking forward to his next films. The beefy actor has got a lot on his plate, but he does not mind adding a few more interesting subjects to his repertoire of upcoming films.
Abraham will next be seen in filmmaker Anees Bazmee’s rib-tickling comedy Pagalpanti. Besides him, the much-awaited movie also has Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Ileana D’Cruz and Kriti Kharbanda in important roles. Apart from Pagalpanti, John also has on his plate such exciting films as 1911, Attack, Satyameva Jayate 2, Mumbai Saga and an untitled film with filmmaker Rensil D’Silva.
The actor is also rumoured to be headlining the remake of Hollywood biggie The Transporter (2002), as well as the Hindi remake of Tamil film Vedalam (2015). Reportedly, T-Series Films have procured the remake rights of the Tamil blockbuster and want John to topline it.
His incredibly long list of upcoming films makes one thing clear that John Abraham has emerged as one of the most bankable actors in Bollywood over the year. Today, he is the go-to actor when it comes to high-octane action entertainers and flicks imbued with patriotic fervour. Looking at his track record, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that John Abraham has finally arrived.
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.