By: Mohnish Singh
Actress Katrina Kaif, who on Tuesday announced that she had tested positive for novel coronavirus, is currently in self-isolation at her residence. Her sudden diagnosis led her and Salman Khan’s fans to wonder if her health would impact the shoot of their much-awaited film Tiger 3, which is currently being shot in Mumbai.
From what we hear, the shoot of the film is going on as planned with Salman Khan at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai. Tiger 3, which is the third installment of Yash Raj Films’ Tiger franchise, is being directed by Maneesh Sharma.
A trade source in the know informs a publication, “Katrina shot for Tiger 3 a week back and is scheduled to join again from the end of April for a few days. This was always a part of the original shooting plan of the film, so there is no delay in the shoot of Tiger 3. Right now, Salman is finishing his solo portions with Maneesh and the shoot is going on in full swing.”
The source goes on to add that the entire unit of the film is following all coronavirus-related protocols strictly. “From constant sanitisation to compulsory mask and Covid test at regular interval for the cast and crew, Aditya Chopra is following strict measures on the set to be safe and avoid any sort of lapse. All the sets and equipment are also sanitised multiple times to curb the possibility of virus spread. All the government prescribed guidelines are being strictly adhered to on the sets,” the source adds.
Apart from Tiger 3, Katrina Kaif also has Excel Entertainment’s horror-comedy Phone Bhoot in her pocket. She has also signed on to topline filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar’s superwoman film franchise for Netflix. She is also awaiting the release of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi, co-starring Akshay Kumar.
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.