After delivering two hits with Luka Chuppi and Pati Pati Aur Who in 2019, Kartik Aaryan is looking forward to 2020 with loads of hopes and excitement. The actor has three high-profile films in his pocket, which are scheduled to release next year.
His first release in the year 2020 will be the Imtiaz Ali directorial, tentatively titled Aaj Kal. Rumour has it that Aaj Kal, also starring Sara Ali Khan, is a sequel to Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal (2008). It will be followed by filmmaker Anees Bazmee’s much-awaited horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and then Collin D’Cunha’s Dostana 2.
The latest we hear that Kartik Aaryan is about to sign yet another interesting project and that too with Imtiaz Ali. According to reports, the rising star of Bollywood has been approached to play the role of distinguished Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila in his biopic. If Aaryan agrees to come onboard, it will be the first biopic of his filmography.
“Kartik Aaryan has been reportedly approached to play the role of popular Punjabi singer late Amar Singh Chamkila. This would be another collaboration between Kartik and Imtiaz. But the filmmaker won’t direct it. The film will be produced by Imtiaz Ali and Reliance Entertainment and directed by Imtiaz’s brother Sajid Ali who made his directorial debut last year with Avinash Tiwary’s Laila Majnu.”
For the uninitiated, Amar Singh Chamkila was a composer, musician and lyricist from Punjab. He became one of the most revered Punjabi performers and belted out a number of successful Punjabi songs. But, in the most tragic turn of events, Chamkila and his wife were assassinated along with the two members of his band on 8 March 1988. The case remains unsolved till date.
An official announcement regarding the biopic is awaited.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.