By: Mohnish Singh
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan insists that she does not regret walking out of the 2013 film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
For the uninitiated, the actress was set to play the female lead in the big-ticket tragic romance film. However, she surprised everyone by exiting the project just a few days before she was due to begin filming for it.
“I confess that I am mad. There have been times when I have signed a film and then felt it was wrong. Yes, I was supposed to do Ram-Leela but I changed my mind. I decided to do Gori (Tere Pyaar Mein) instead,” Kapoor Khan told an Indian daily.
She went on to add, “With me, it is all about the mood. There are no regrets, I have worked with some really good directors. I have missed the chance to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. But there is always a next time. I am the only actress who can boast of giving films to other actresses.”
After Kareena Kapoor Khan ditched Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, the film went to Deepika Padukone. The actress received overwhelming response for her power-packed performance in the film. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela also starred Ranveer Singh as the lead role. It is believed that the duo fell in love with each other on the sets of the film. They married each other in 2018.
After the rousing success of Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh went on to collaborate with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018).
Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor Khan next stars in Laal Singh Chaddha, an adaptation of Tom Hanks’ successful film Forrest Gump (1994). It reunites her with 3 Idiots (2009) and Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012) co-star Aamir Khan after a long gap.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.