By: Mohnish Singh
Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic hit the whole world and theatres shut their doors temporarily for the audience, several Indian filmmakers have opted for the digital route to premiere their ready-to-release films.
However, two prominent production houses in Bollywood stayed away from releasing their films on any digital media platforms and are waiting for the situation to get normal before announcing their upcoming slate. We are talking about Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films.
Though both the leading filmmakers have not openly expressed their views on the issue of digital vs theatrical release, sources close to them reveal that the duo would not budge from their viewpoint.
“Sajid Nadiadwala feels he makes films for the big screen. His last production Baaghi 3 (2020), which reached the big screen just before movie theatres downed their shutters, was a big success in spite of the virus threat. Sajid feels that to be a sign of how devoted his audience is to the large-screen experience,” says a friend of the producer.
The YRF head honcho Aditya Chopra is also maintaining a safe distance from digital releases. A source in the know informs the same publication, “As of now, no pending or underproduction film of Yash Raj Films is going to the digital platform.”
Though theatres in India have resumed operations, a number of high-profile films are still gearing up for their premiere on online streaming platforms, including Akshay Kumar’s Laxmmi Bomb, Ajay Devgn’s Bhuj: The Pride of India, and Varun Dhawan’s Coolie No 1. Filmmaker Anurag Basu’s much-awaited anthology film Ludo, starring Abhishek A Bachchan, Rajkummar Rao, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Pankaj Tripathi, is also set to premiere on 12th November on Netflix, coinciding with Diwali.
Keep visiting this space for more updates from the world of entertainment.
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.