After the success of Super 30 (2019) and Batla House (2019), actress Mrunal Thakur has seen a rise in her demand in Bollywood. She has been offered a number of projects in the past few months. However, the actress is taking it slow. She is choosing only those scripts where she feels she has a scope to show her prowess.
The latest buzz has it that Mrunal has reportedly signed filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s next directorial venture. Titled Toofan, the movie features actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar in the lead role.
A source close to the development tells a publication, “Mrunal has been offered an interesting part in Toofan and she will be seen playing Farhan’s love interest in the film. It’s a pivotal role.”
Farhan Akhtar, who has teamed up with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra after their 2013 film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, has done rigorous preparation to get into the skin of his character in the movie. The actor is working so dedicatedly on the film that he has decided not to take any other acting assignment till Toofan is complete.
“As long as it takes for Toofan to be completed, Farhan remains fully committed to the project. There are no professional distractions whatsoever. Farhan has not taken up any other acting assignment after The Sky Is Pink which is now complete and awaiting release in October,” another source reveals.
Not only acting assignments, Farhan won’t be taking on any directorial assignments also for the next one year. “In any case Farhan has not directed any film since Don 2 in 2011. As for acting, Farhan is currently living the boxer’s life,” adds the source.
Toofan is said be a boxing drama with an endearing love story at its centre. The film is scheduled to arrive in theatres on 2nd October 2020.
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.