It has been several months since reports have been doing the rounds that Kartik Aaryan is set to join forces with celebrated filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali for a high-profile project. It seems fuel has been added to the fire as the rising Bollywood star was spotted outside the filmmaker’s office earlier today.
According to reports, Bhansali is in the middle of putting together his ambitious project Heera Mandi, which was originally planned as a feature film, but now is being designed as a streaming show for a leading streaming media platform. If things fall into place, the big-ticket venture will mark his foray into the digital world.
Reports further state that Sonakshi Sinha has been roped in to play the female lead in the streaming show. And it appears that Aaryan could be having a meeting with Bhansali to be part of the show too.
In other news, Aaryan’s much-awaited film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 has suffered yet another setback as its shoot has been postponed again. Also starring Kiara Advani and Tabu in important roles, the horror-comedy film is a sequel to the 2007 hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
The actor recently signed Sajid Nadiadwala’s next production venture, Satyanarayana Ki Katha, which is expected to get off the ground soon. In addition to the above-mentioned films, he also headlines Ram Madhvani’s Dhamaka, which is set to premiere on Netflix soon.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, on the other hand, has wrapped up his next Gangubai Kathiawadi with Alia Bhatt. The film is currently in post-production and may enter theatres towards the end of the year or early next year. Superstar Ajay Devgn has an important camera appearance in the period drama.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy world of entertainment.
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.