By: Mohnish Singh
Kartik Aaryan, who recently completed the shoot of his next Dhamaka, seems to be there on the wish list of every filmmaker. The rising star already boasts of close to half a dozen projects on his platter, but nothing is stopping him from reading new scripts and giving nod to exciting projects.
From what we hear, Aaryan is now in talks with award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta for a new film. Though not much else is known about the forthcoming project at the moment, reports indicate that it will be based on a true story, just like Mehta’s recent web-show Scam 1992: The Hansal Mehta Story (2020) which turned out to be a runaway success in the digital world.
According to reports, the filmmaker has already met the actor a couple of times with respect to the film. Aaryan is said to have loved the script but is yet to sign on the dotted line. The film will be produced by Ronnie Screwvala under his production house RSVP Movies and should begin production in the first quarter of 2022. If all goes well, the makers will make an official announcement soon.
Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan is looking at wrapping up his pending projects Dostana 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 which have yet not resumed production even after the entire film industry returning to normalcy after the Coronavirus-induced lockdown.
Reports suggest that the actor will join the sets of Dharma Productions’ Dostana 2 in April, while T-Series Films and Cine1 Studios’ horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 has been postponed till November.
In addition to the aforementioned projects, Aaryan is also rumoured to be headlining Red Chillies Entertainment and Sanjay Leela Bhansali Pictures’ next projects. He will also start working on the remake of the Telugu blockbuster Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020) in a couple of months, as per reports.
Keep visiting this space for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.