Harshavardhan Kapoor, who entered filmdom with acclaimed filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s directorial Mirzya (2016), is yet to taste success in his career. While his debut film failed terribly at the box-office, his second outing Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (2018) did not leave the cash registers jingling either. The film got its due later on online though.
Kapoor is now looking forward to his third film, which is a biopic based on the life of Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra. Talking about the film, the actor says that it will be a game-changer. “I have not been able to reach the conventional Hindi film audience yet, but this film will be a game-changer. It is a universal story of a man who got the first individual Olympic gold for India.”
The film also stars his father Anil Kapoor in an important role, who plays his on-screen father. “The film is still being scripted, and the prep was to begin by the year-end, with the shoot starting next year. It is nowhere close to the stage for me to start the prep. Right now, my focus is mainly on talking to my writer and director to understand their vision.”
Talking about his previous film, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, the actor says, “There was not an appetite for the film when it released. The media and the industry did not support us as well. Many films get their due later on; it has happened often in my father’s career too. When you call a film Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, people expect something like Krrish (2006), not a two-and-a-half-hour story of a common man. When it released, I had said that I could not wait for it to come online. We had planned to make more than one film, but then it did not make money. With the film receiving so much love now, Vikram might want to revisit it in the future. The fans deserve a sequel.”
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.