Kabir Singh (2019) is unstoppable at the box-office. Released on 21st June, the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial has already emerged as the biggest blockbuster of 2019 and is on its way to zoom past the ₹ 275 crore mark in a few days from now.
The film, which is an official remake of cult Telugu movie Arjun Reddy (2017), features Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani in lead roles. While the audience is raving about the lead pair’s performances, the strong supporting cast has also received positive response from every quarter.
With the blockbuster film, Kunal Thakur made his acting debut. He played the character of Kabir Singh’s best friend Kamal. The actor is over the moon to see the kind of response the movie has generated at the box-office. “I feel extremely ecstatic about the success of Kabir Singh. It is usually rare for a film to run house-full for an entire month. I never imagined my debut film to be a great hit,” says the young actor.
He goes on to add that everyone who has been associated with the project has put in a lot of hard work to bring out this amazing film. “When I started shooting for the film, I just took it up as a project and wanted to give my hundred percent to it and work with complete dedication. A film’s success is in the hands of the fans and I am glad that they have actually liked the film. Some people have mixed reviews too but I appreciate everyone's perception and opinions on the film. Every single person who has been associated with the project has put in a lot of hard work to bring out this amazing film. I feel at the top of the world looking at the response,” he signs off.
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.