Kalki Koechlin will portray the role of American writer Olivia in the US novelist John Keller's debut comedy feature film Her Song.
"Been a fan of Keller's books, Know your Baker, Abracadabrantesque, and Johnny Allan. He has a quirky and witty intelligence that is so reminiscent of New York and its diversity and 'Her Song' is both funny and unpredictably heartening. I can't wait to act in French and English with this talented, multi-lingual cast."
Taking to her Instagram handle, she made an announcement about the film in a video. "Hi, my name is Kalki. I am a very famous actress in India. Everybody knows me here. Nobody knows me in France. I have 1 million followers on Instagram, but that still hasn't got us money to make the film," says Kalki at the beginning of the video.
The 40-year-old actress then discusses her role in the movie. She describes Olivia as an American writer who observes individuals to include their methods in her works and feels that everything revolves around her.
The makers have not yet revealed the storyline, but they have uploaded a video of the actors and crew providing hints about it. In the film, Assaiante describes the story as involving "tiny villagers" in the Second World War, while Kalki adds that it is about cycles and life in general. "It's about hearing your song," concludes Clair.
The project is being produced by Elea Clair and Marine Assaiante under the production banner Six and Midnight Films, who recently shared a video to announce that they will be working with American novelist John M. Keller and filmmaker James Ivory. Elea Clair and Zach Grenier will also star alongside Kalki in the upcoming film.
Kalki is also known for her works in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. She got a lot of appreciation for her projects like Made in Heaven and the crime thriller Sacred Games.
In 2022, Koechlin starred in the English-language drama Goldfish. The film premiered at the 27th Busan International Film Festival. Later, garnered attention for playing a supporting role in the coming-of-age drama Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.
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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.