By Murtuza Iqbal
Huma Qureshi has some interesting projects lined up and one of them is Maharani, a series that will stream on Sony Liv. A few days ago, the makers had unveiled the teaser of the series, and today, the trailer has been released.
Huma took to Twitter to share the trailer with everyone. She tweeted, “A political drama set in the 90’s where among the traditional satraps there was an emerging voice.. how will an illiterate woman survive this? @subkapoor @s0humshah @amit_sial @onlysushilji @karan_rebel #PramodPathak @KaniKusruti #InaamUlHaq @jollynarenkumar @dkh9.”
Huma plays the role of a woman who becomes the Chief Minister of Bihar after her husband is shot and gets bedridden. Well, the trailer is quite good and it looks like the series will showcase that how an illiterate woman tries to make a mark in politics. The actress is amazing in the trailer and we surely have high expectations from her performance.
Created by Subhash Kapoor and directed by Karan Sharma, Maharani will start streaming on Sony Liv on 28th May 2021. It also stars Sohum Shah in a pivotal role.
Talking about other projects of Huma, the actress will be seen in films like Army of the Dead, Valimai, and BellBottom. Army of Dead is slated to release on 21st May 2021. It will release in a few theatres in the United States and digitally on Netflix.
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.