By: Mohnish Singh
Kartik Aaryan’s last release Love Aaj Kal (2020) may not have set the box-office on fire, but his line-up of upcoming films seems promising enough to build his brand value further in showbiz.
The rising star has a slew of exciting projects on his platter currently, one of them being filmmaker Ram Madhvani’s next Dhamaka. Aaryan started shooting for the thriller in the month of December and wrapped up the entire shoot in a record time of 10 days.
In order to complete the film as soon as possible, the makers had reportedly booked an entire hotel in Powai, Mumbai, where major portions of the project were filmed. The movie is currently in post-production.
Rumours were rife lately that the makers of Dhamaka have struck an exciting deal with streaming media giant Netflix for the digital premiere of the film. The latest update suggests that Netflix has shelled out a whopping amount of 850 million to add the film to its existing catalogue.
Spilling some more beans, a source close to the development tells an entertainment portal, “Dhamaka is one of the most-awaited films of Kartik Aaryan in 2021 and the makers are looking forward to unveiling it as soon as possible. As of now, the tentative release date for Dhamaka is said to be June. Final paperwork between the production house and the OTT giant is expected to be done in a few days.”
Reportedly, Kartik Aaryan plays the character of a journalist in the film. In addition to him, the movie also stars Mrunal Thakur in an important role. The actor had unveiled the first poster of the film on his birthday, November 22. Later, he also shared his look as well, introducing his character as Arjun Pathak.
Besides Dhamaka, Kartik Aaryan also stars in Dharma Productions’ hugely anticipated comic-caper Dostana 2. The film, which is being directed by Collin D'Cunha, is a sequel to Karan Johar’s Dostana (2008) and also features Janhvi Kapoor and debutant Lakshya on the lead cast. He will also be seen in Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. The horror-comedy features Kiara Advani as his leading lady, while Tabu also essays a pivotal part in it.
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.