By: Mohnish Singh
The makers of the upcoming Hindi film Dispatch had to halt the shoot recently after lead actor Manoj Bajpayee and director Kanu Behl tested positive for the coronavirus. Ever since the diagnosis, Bajpayee and Behl have been in self-quarantine at their respective homes.
The latest we hear that the two are recovering well and with that, the team has started working on a new schedule to resume production. If all goes well, Dispatch will resume shooting in June and then the production might shift to London for the next schedule.
“Kanu Behl and Manoj Bajpayee are fine now and recovering well. They will resume shooting for the film in June in Mumbai, and then later shoot in London,” a source in the know tells a publication.
The source goes on to add that filming in the UK will completely depend on the coronavirus situation at that point in time in the country. “However, filming in the UK will completely depend on the Covid situation at that point in time in the country. Meanwhile, Manoj will be working on another project in Uttarakhand,” concludes the source.
Dispatch, which went on shooting floors on February 7, is an investigative thriller set in the world of crime journalism. Manoj Bajpayee, who recently won his third National Film Award, plays the character of a man who finds himself sucked into the murky underbelly of business and crime.
Bankrolled by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies, Despatch also stars Shahana Goswami in an important role. The film will be a direct-to-digital release but the makers are yet to zero in on any streaming platform for its premiere.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the 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.