By: Mohnish Singh
Rumours have been doing the rounds for a couple of weeks that Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor is gearing up to join the digital domain with an upcoming Amazon Prime Video show, created by filmmaker duo Raj & DK.
The latest update on the forthcoming project is coming in that the makers have now locked the female lead opposite Kapoor. According to reports, popular South Indian actress Malavika Mohanan, who made her Bollywood debut with Majid Majidi’s film Beyond the Clouds (2018), is set to join the cast of the high-profile show early next year.
Though nothing much is known about the untiled web project at the movement, some insiders reveal that it is a quirky action thriller. Shahid Kapoor has reportedly signed a multi-project deal worth 600 million with Amazon Prime Video. The said web-series with Raj & DK will mark the first offering of the deal.
Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor is currently busy with his upcoming film Jersey, which is an official remake of the superhit Telugu sports-drama film of the same name. The actor, who was last seen in Kabir Singh (2019), is expected to start the next schedule of the film in Chandigarh on November 9. Once he wraps up Jersey, he will start shooting for his debut web-series.
Talking about Malavika Mohanan, she is also busy with a number of projects in the South Indian entertainment industry. She will soon start shooting for her next film Master, which also stars Tamil superstar Joseph Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles. The movie was originally set to release in theatres on April 9, 2020. However, the makers had to push it ahead due to the outburst of the Coronavirus pandemic across the globe.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates from the glitzy world of entertainment.
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.