Last seen in Ajay Devgn Ffilms’ Helicopter Eela (2018), seasoned actress Kajol is presently awaiting the release of her next film Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. The war drama, directed by Om Raut, marks the onscreen reunion of her with husband Ajay Devgn after a massive gap of eleven years. Besides Kajol and Ajay Devgn, the big-ticket offering also features Saif Ali Khan who plays the lead antagonist.
Ahead of the release of the film on 10th January 2020, Kajol said in an interview that every time she comes up with a film, it is branded as her comeback. She has had the maximum number of comebacks, the actress says.
Kajol also talks about her equation with former co-actors like Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar. "I genuinely love them. I don't know the people who have entered the industry in the last 10-15 years so well. I am not some chatty, let-us-message-each-other kind of person. So, I don't know them well. But, regarding the others be it Lolo (Karisma Kapoor), Raveena (Tandon), my heroes like Akshay (Kumar), Aamir (Khan), Saif (Ali Khan), whenever I meet them, there is always a sense of, ‘How are you doing? Are you okay? What's up with you?' They have the same feelings for me. We may not chat on social media often but that doesn't mean we are no longer friends."
Talking about her role in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, Kajol will be playing Savitribai Malusare in the upcoming film, the wife of Tanaji Malusare, who will be played by Ajay Devgn. Besides Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, Kajol will also be seen in an upcoming Netflix film Tribhanga. Mithila Palkar and Tanvi Azmi also play important roles in the Renuka Shahane directorial.
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.