Karan Johar's much-talked-about venture, which will be directed by Abhishek Verman, is back on track. The untitled project was initially planned with veteran actress Sridevi. However, due to her untimely death on 24th February 2018, Johar decided to shelve the movie. But he changed his mind soon and approached Madhuri Dixit to fill Sridevi's shoes.
However, that was not the end of the road for Karan. The film, which was rumoured to be titled Shiddat, also had Sanjay Dutt in its star cast. But since Madhuri Dixit and Dutt were reportedly not on good terms due to their long personal issues, reports suggested that the Munna Bhai M.B.B.S actor was asked to bow out of the film. However, if the latest report published on a leading Bollywood portal is to be believed, Dixit and Dutt have decided to keep their personal difference at bay and come together for Karan Johar's film.
“Yes Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt have agreed to work together for this film and it is indeed the best news in the longest. Ever since Madhuri came on board, everyone was wondering if she would be willing to work with Dutt, owing to their controversial past. But after much back and forth and some discussions, both the actors have given their nod," reveals a source to the portal.
“Whatever happened between the two is past. They have moved on happily. Also, Madhuri has always believed that personal equations shouldn’t matter when it comes to professional work. It is a mature decision from both and they are both excited to work together almost after 25 years. The film rolls next month and they are aiming to release it in April 2019," adds another source.
Besides Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt, the yet-to-be-titled film also stars Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur in lead roles.
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.