By: Mohnish Singh
Kiara Advani, who made her acting debut with the 2014 film Fugly, delivered her career’s biggest blockbuster in the form of Kabir Singh (2019). The film, which was an official remake of Telugu blockbuster Arjun Reddy (2017), prides itself on being one of the highest-grossing Hindi movies of 2019.
Kabir Singh was produced by Murad Khetani of Cine1 Studios. Right after the runaway success of the romantic drama film, Khetani signed Advani for his next production Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which is currently in production.
Now, we hear that Khetani recently offered yet another film to the actress, titled Apurva. “It is a woman-centric film titled Apurva which traces the journey of the female lead's life in a day. It is an adrenaline-pumping thriller which the makers wanted Kiara to shoulder. It is a small-budgeted concept-oriented project and they took the film to Kiara because she is anyway the in-house favourite.”
However, the actress has reportedly turned down the offer. “Kiara and her team heard the story and although they liked it, they felt it was a major risk for her at this point. She is the face of many big projects and her career has taken off to a different level now, so her team advised her against doing a smaller film like Apurva. Apart from that, she also wants to do only one woman-centric film in a limited time frame and she has already signed Karram Kurram under Ashutosh Gowariker's production. They did not want to overburden themselves with another one.”
Meanwhile, Kiara Advani is busy wrapping up her upcoming films Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Jug Jugg Jeeyo. She is also awaiting the release of her next Shershaah, starring Sidharth Malhotra in the lead role.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.