Karan Johar, one of the most influential filmmakers in Indian cinema, has announced his next big-ticket venture Kalank. To be helmed by 2 States fame Abhishek Verman, the multi-starrer stars some of the biggest names from the industry, including Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Aditya Roy Kapur.
Confirming the same, Karan Johar said in a statement, "Kalank has been an emotional journey for me! A germ of an idea that I had nearly 15 years ago, a film that was in a pre-production stage helmed by my father...am now proud to pass it onto the extremely capable and visionary hands of our director Abhishek Varman! A beautifully structured story by Shibani Bathija and an exceptionally fluid narrative and screenplay by Abhishek."
Karan will co-produce Kalank with Sajid Nadiadwala's Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Fox Star Studios. "18th April 2014, 2 States had released. 18th April 2019 Kalank begins its journey. This multi starrer with a story will cross all borders, under the capable direction of Abhishek Varman. It be historic in the true sense of the word...I am genuinely happy to be back with the team Fox Star and Karan Johar. This film is special to all of us!!," Sajid Nadiadwala said.
Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios added, "Our creative and strategic partnership with Dharma Productions and Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, the powerhouses of the industry has been successful and rewarding. Our association with Dharma gave us an excellent opportunity to be associated with 100 crore hits like Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Ae Dil Hain Mushkil and with NGE, we presented back to back blockbusters - Judwaa 2 and Baaghi 2. We, at Fox Star Studios, are proud to be presenting Kalank, a movie with a stellar and power-packed cast of today’s era. With Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala coming together, it will be a path breaker and great team to work."
Kalank will hit screens on 19th April 2019.
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.