Filmmaker Rohit Dhawan, who has previously helmed Dishoom (2016) and Desi Boyz (2011), has reportedly approached rising Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan for his next directorial offering. Though nothing much is known about the project at the moment, we wonder if it is the same superhero film which Rohit has earlier offered to Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan and then his younger brother, Varun Dhawan.
A leading publication reports that the Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011) actor was spotted at the director’s house for a brief meeting on Friday, which sparked off the rumours of a possible collaboration between the two.
A close source informs the publication, “Rumours immediately surfaced as to whether this would be the very script that Rohit had earlier pitched to Hrithik Roshan and then to Salman Khan before asking Varun to do the film. This is a superhero kind of a film and Kartik, who is now finally doing an action film with director Om Raut of Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020), will have opened up his image from a boy next-door to a star actor who can take on a variety of roles including action et al.”
Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan is currently busy shooting for his upcoming projects. After the failure of Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal (2020), he will next be seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which is a sequel to the 2007 film, Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Kiara Advani is playing the female lead in the film, helmed by Anees Bazmee. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 will be followed by Dharma Productions’ much-awaited comic-caper Dostana 2 with Janhvi Kapoor and debutant Lakshya. As mentioned above, Kartik has also given his nod to filmmaker Om Raut’s next untiled action entertainer.
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.