Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan's much-anticipated film Merry Christmas has been postponed.
Starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles, Merry Christmas was slated to release on December 23. However, the makers have now decided to reschedule the release date.
According to sources, the release has been postponed to 2023. But the exact date is yet to be announced.
Confirming the development, noted film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, “KATRINA KAIF – VIJAY SETHUPATHI: ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ SHIFTS TO 2023… Yesterday, the producers of Fighter [Hrithik Roshan – Deepika Padukone] decided to reschedule the release date… Now Merry Christmas (#KatrinaKaif – #VijaySethupathi) shifts to 2023.”
There were reports that the psychological thriller was set to lock horns at the box office with Tiger Shroff’s Ganapath and Ranveer Singh’s Cirkus.
To avoid the direct box office clash with the aforementioned books, the film will be released on an ideal date that would be viable for revenue generation. Ganapath and Cirkus are releasing on December 23. It will be a massive fight at the box office if the movie hit the screen on the same date.
Merry Christmas is written by Anukriti Pandey and Sriram Raghavan. The film will see Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi share the screen for the very first time. It also marks the actors’ first collaboration with Raghavan.
In addition to Kaif and Sethupathi, the film also features Sanjay Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Tinnu Anand, Pratima Kazmi, Shanmugarajan, Kevin Jay Babu, and Radhika Sarathkumar in important roles.
Merry Christmas is produced by Ramesh Taurani’s Tips Industries in association with Matchbox Pictures Pvt. Ltd.
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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.