After the success of her last film Talvar, which was based on the grisly Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case, filmmaker Meghna Gulzar is coming up with her next directorial offering, Raazi. Based on the well-received novel Calling Sehmat by Harinder Sikka, the movie stars Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles. The trailer of the film was released a couple of days ago, which received an extremely positive response from the audience with everyone praising the casting of the film in particular.
When Meghna was asked about how did she come out roping in Alia and Vicky Kaushal in the roles of Sehmat and Iqbal respectively, she said, "I wanted to cast actors who could deliver a certain level of performance and both Alia and Vicky are extremely talented actors.”
Talking about Alia and Vicky, she said, “The character of Sehmat is a 20-year-old innocent girl and Alia’s physicality was perfect. She also had the required vulnerability and fragility. She had all the qualities which were needed for the character of Sehmat. On the other hand, Vicky too had the sensitivity to play the character of Iqbal who is from Pakistan. These both actors were extremely apt for the lead characters as they both go through a tumultuous journey in the film. They both have surpassed my expectations which were very high.”
Produced by Dharma Productions and Junglee Pictures, Raazi is scheduled to release on 11th May 2018.
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.