The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, which has adversely affected every industry in the world, might change how Bollywood plans its release calendar in the near future. After Gulabo Sitabo, which is scheduled for its direct-to-digital release on 12th June on Amazon Prime Video, we see a number of other production houses and makers are following suit and opting for digital premieres for their movies which were originally planned for a theatrical release like never before.
The latest film which may release directly on OTT is the much-awaited film Laxmmi Bomb, starring superstar Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani in lead roles. If reports are to be believed, the horror-comedy has been acquired by Hotstar Specials for a humongous ₹125 crore. It was originally slated to enter theatres on Eid 2020.
“It is true that the film will now be premiering on Hotstar. Although there was a bit of disagreement initially, everyone is on the same page now. The movie will indeed be releasing online,” a source in the know informs an entertainment portal.
An official statement announcing the digital premiere of Laxmmi Bomb is expected to arrive soon. “The team needs a month to prepare the project. A bit of post-production work remains and they are waiting for the lockdown to get over. So the film won’t hit the OTT platforms at least till a month after the lockdown is lifted. So the release date is not decided yet,” adds the source.
If Laxmmi Bomb has indeed been sold for a massive ₹125 crore, it is already in the profitable zone. The source says before signing off, “Laxmmi Bomb has been sold for a staggering ₹125 crore. But while the number is huge considering digital rates, what one must not forget is that it had the potential of earning over ₹200 crore at the box office, despite a clash with Salman Khan’s Radhe. So the total revenue that the team will make out of it, is much less.”
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.