Kiara Advani, who was leading the race to bag celebrated filmmaker Shankar’s upcoming pan-India film with Ram Charan, has finally added the high-profile project to her resume. A leading entertainment portal reports that the Kabir Singh (2019) actress has signed the multilingual film on the dotted line.
There is no update on as to when the untitled film will start rolling, but if sources are to be believed, Advani has inked a multi-film deal with Shankar. Apart from this pan-India film that she is headlining, the actress will also star in the official adaptation of Aparichit (2005), opposite Ranveer Singh.
“Kiara will be a part of both, RC 15 and Aparichit adaptation. While she is romantically paired alongside Ram Charan in one, the other film will mark her first-time collaboration with Ranveer Singh. The character details and shoot schedules have been kept under wraps. However, Shankar’s film with Ranveer Singh will go on floors sometime next year, only once the work on RC 15 is concluded,” a source close to the development informs the publication.
The source goes on to add that apart from the two aforementioned films, Advani might do one more project with the filmmaker. “It is essentially a deal to collaborate on three films over the next few years. While the first two will happen in a quick span, the third one might take some time,” the source adds.
Kiara Advani already has some exciting projects in her pocket. She next stars in the much-awaited horror-comedy film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, alongside Kartik Aaryan. She has already shot for Dharma Productions’ Shershaah, while Jug Jugg Jeeyo with the same production house is nearing completion.
The actress also plays one of the two female leads in Shashank Khaitan’s next, co-starring Bhumi Pednekar and Vicky Kaushal. It is also a Dharma Productions venture. Ashutosh Gowariker’s Karram Kurram is also in the pipeline.
Keep visiting this space over and again 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.