Bollywood has churned out a number of interesting biopics over the years, and 2019 is going to be no different. From Manikarnika to The Iron Lady, there are a number of women-centric projects to watch out for in the coming months.
Here are our top 5.
Manikarnika: Starring Kangana Ranaut, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi chronicles the life of Rani Laxmi Bai and her relentless fight against the British East India Company.
The Iron Lady:The Iron Lady stars Nithya Menen as the late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The film would go on the floors on Jayalalithaa’s birthday on February 24.
“The film will chronicle her life right from her days as a young actress to her final days in the hospital. The film will strive to recreate the old studios in Kodambakkam where she shot for her films,” the film's director, A Priyadhaarshini, was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
Shakeela: Director Indrajit Lankesh is helming the project that will explore the life of southern film industry’s adult film star Shakeela. Richa Chadha will essay Shakeela's character.
“When I first heard it, I wondered how it hadn’t been adapted into a screenplay already. I am happy I got to act in this movie because I really grew a lot with it,” Chadha said in an interview.
Chhapaak: The movie on acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal is being directed by Meghna Gulzar and the lead role will be essayed by Deepika Padukone.
Saina: The Saina Nehwal biopic is being helmed by Amol Gupte and it has Shraddha Kapoor in the lead role. Expressing her excitement at being a part of the project, Shraddha tweeted: "Saina Nehwal - The former World number one badminton player. An Indian girl. An inspiration to millions. A youth icon in the truest sense."
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.