By: Mohnish Singh
Queen (2014) actress Kangana Ranaut has started shooting for her next film Tejas. The acclaimed actress plays an Indian Air Force pilot in the upcoming film, which is reportedly inspired by a landmark event. She began work on the much-awaited project today in Mumbai.
“Kangana has begun shooting for Tejas, and she is filming at a bungalow in Mumbai. She will be shooting in the city for four to five days, after which the team will move to Delhi and Rajasthan for subsequent schedules. In fact, a large portion of the film will be shot in the capital,” informs a source close to the development.
Sarvesh Mewara is directing Tejas, while Ronnie Screwvala is producing the film under his production house RSVP Movies. On Sunday, the team met at Ranaut’s residence for a reading session.
“Very special Sunday. My Tejas team came over for readings. Loved hosting my lovely new crew. Now for the coming months, this is my family Tejas. Happy journey guys,” the actress wrote on Twitter, also sharing a few pictures from the meeting.
Kangana Ranaut has several plum projects in her pocket right now. In December, she wrapped up Thalaivi, a biopic on actress-turned-politician J Jayalalithaa, wherein she plays the eponymous role. The film, directed by AL Vijay from a script by K. V. Vijayendra Prasad, is set to hit theatres on April 23, 2021.
After completing Thalaivi, she moved on to shoot ad-filmmaker-turned-director Razneesh Ghai’s directorial debut Dhaakad, which she wrapped up in February. The actress has now started shooting for Tejas. The initial release date for Tejas was April 2021. However, the film is now expected to enter theatres towards the end of the year or early next year.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy 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.