Reportedly, filmmaker Karan Johar has decided to release his next directorial venture Takht on Diwali 2020. Earlier, the same date was locked for his much-talked-about production venture Rannbhoomi.
If reports are to be believed, Shashank Khaitan’s Rannbhoomi, which features Varun Dhawan in the lead role, has been put on hold due to some issues with the script. Since the movie will not be ready for its theatrical release on Diwali 2020, Karan decided to save the date for Takht.
“In the past, Dharma Productions had blocked the Diwali 2016 weekend for the release of Shuddhi, however, as the film got shelved, Karan Johar went ahead to release his own directorial, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) on the same slot. History will repeat itself now as his next, a period drama titled Takht starring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Anil Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Janhvi Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar will hit the screen during the Diwali 2020 weekend initially blocked for Rannbhoomi,” a source close to the development reveals to an entertainment portal.
Takht is expected to start rolling in mid-2019. “The movie will go on floors by mid-next year. However, given the scale at which the film is planned, enormous amount of pre-production is required. Efforts are taken to present Ranveer Singh in a never seen before avatar given the fact that the actor has already been a part of two period films,” the source adds.
Meanwhile, Shashank Khaitan and Varun Dhawan, who were set to team up for Rannbhoomi, will now collaborate on an action entertainer. The film is expected to mount the shooting floor around the same time as Takht.
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.