By: Mohnish Singh
Kartik Aaryan, who recently started shooting for his forthcoming film Dhamaka, has finally found his leading lady. According to reports, the makers have roped in Mrunal Thakur to play the female lead in the upcoming thriller. If the news is true, Aaryan and Thakur will share the screen space for the first time ever.
Dhamaka, which is being helmed by Ram Madhvani, was announced by Kartik Aaryan on his birthday on 22nd November. It is reportedly the Hindi remake of the successful South Korean film The Terror Live (2013).
Ever since the official announcement, Kartik Aaryan’s fans were curious to know who would play his leading lady in the movie. It looks like the makers have signed Mrunal Thakur for the part.
Earlier, some media outlets reported that Yami Gautam was cast alongside Aaryan, but she could not do the film because her dates were clashing with her upcoming horror-comedy Bhoot Police, co-starring Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Kapoor, and Jacqueline Fernandez. She had to let go of Dhamaka due to her chock-o-block schedule. Gautam’s loss turned out to be Thakur’s gain who seems set to romance Kartik Aaryan in the movie.
Mrunal Thakur, who transitioned from television to Bollywood, boasts of several high-profile films on her platter. She has just wrapped up her much-awaited sports drama Jersey wherein she stars alongside Shahid Kapoor. She also plays the lead role in well-known filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Toofan which stars Farhan Akhtar in the role of a boxer. In RSVP Movies’ Pippa, she shares the screen space with Ishaan Khatter and Priyanshu Painyuli.
Dhamaka is being produced by RSVP Movies and Ram Madhvani Films. Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates 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.