Mindy Kaling has teamed up with Amazon Studios to produce a new Muslim rom-com. An official adaptation of Uzma Jalaluddin’s novel Hana Khan Carries On (2021), the film has Sahar Jahani on board as a writer. Kaling and Jessica Kumai Scott are set to produce under the banner of Kaling International.
The story will put a modern Muslim spin on the film The Shop Around the Corner (1940), which was later updated with You’ve Got Mail (1998).
The novel follows two competing Halal shops and a star-crossed romantic connection. Hana's family owns a restaurant called Three Sisters in Toronto but its business is threatened when a more modern and commercial restaurant opens down the street. The only problem is Hana falls for Aydin, the owner of the competing restaurant.
Kaling, who co-created and executive produced Netflix’s coming-of-age comedy-drama series Never Have I Ever, is also busy with the production of her upcoming HBO Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls. The first season of the 13-episode series is expected to premiere towards the end of the year. She is also executive producing and voicing the title character in Warner Bros. Animation’s upcoming HBO Max adult animated comedy Velma.
Kaling is also known for her numerous acting credits, including The Mindy Project and The Office. She also served as a writer and executive producer on The Office. The show earned six Emmy nominations.
She is also busy writing the third instalment of iconic Reese Witherspoon film Legally Blonde alongside Brooklyn Nine-Nine creator Dan Goor. The multi-talented Kaling will also join forces with Goor to write an Indian-American rom-com starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
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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.