The makers of the upcoming Hindi film Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari must be considering themselves extremely lucky as they wrapped up the film days before all shooting activities came to a grinding halt and the nationwide lockdown in India came into force.
Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari is a comedy drama, starring Sana Fatima Shaikh, Manoj Bajpayee and Diljit Dosanjh in lead roles. The entire team started shooting for the movie at a breakneck pace with an intention of wrapping it up on time. The team did not have even a faint clue about what the Coronavirus pandemic had in store for everyone.
A source close to the development tells a publication, “The next day was when everyone was advised to self-quarantine and the makers realised that they had wrapped the shoot exactly on time. There is nothing pending on the movie in terms of the shoot and the film could go directly into the post-production, unlike many other films which are pending, some for a single day and others for a week’s schedule or less. The film is now complete after this long schedule that started in February.”
Spilling more details, the source goes on to add, “The film has been directed by Abhishek Sharma and has been shot extensively in Mumbai. The makers wrapped the shoot on March 16 and films were asked to stop shooting from March 19. So, this film is rather lucky.”
Produced by ZEE Studios and directed by Abhishek Sharma, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari is slated to release in 2020. The makers are expected to lock the official release date of the film once the ongoing lockdown is lifted.
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.