Over the years, we have seen several sequels churned out by Bollywood. But one sequel that everyone has been waiting to watch for close to a decade now is yet to take off. We are talking about the sequel to Karan Johar’s 2008 comic-caper Dostana.
Starring John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles, Dostana brought the topic of homosexuality into our drawing room. The movie went on to become a huge hit upon its release. And right after its thunderous success came the news that Karan Johar was planning a sequel to it.
It has been close to a decade since a sequel to Dostana made it to headlines. However, the project is yet to take off. The latest we hear that Karan Johar is keen to cast immensely talented Rajkummar Rao in Dostana 2. According to reports, Johar wants him to play a second lead as a gay character in the sequel.
Interestingly, Rajkummar Rao was also approached to star in the upcoming film Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan, which also revolves around the topic of homosexuality. However, the actor turned down the offer to play the love interest of Ayushmann Khurrana in the film, which is a sequel to Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017).
Dostana 2 will revolve around a gay couple pretending to be straight. It is yet to be confirmed if Rao has actually signed the film on the dotted line. But if he does, we are surely excited to see him play a gay man onscreen.
Meanwhile, Rajkummar Khurrana has started shooting for his next film RoohiAfza. Co-starring Janhvi Kapoor, the horror-comedy went on the floors yesterday. His upcoming projects also include Mental Hai Kya, Made In China, Turram Khan and an untitled film with director Anurag Basu.
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.