Award-winning Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has announced a new film. Titled Noorani Chehra, the film will see the versatile actor romance debutante Nupur Sanon. Sanon is the younger sister of popular Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon and is set to make her Bollywood debut with the forthcoming film.
Noorani Chehra, billed as a “quirky love story” with a strong social message about being comfortable in your own skin, began production today on Monday. Directed by Navaniat Singh, the film is presented by Panorama Studios, Wild River Pictures, in association with Pulp Fiction Entertainment.
Kumar Mangat Pathak, Chairman and Managing Director, Panorama Studios, said the idea behind Noorani Chehra was to make a film that gives the audience something to laugh about as well as think about.
“In times when subjects like skin colour, body positivity, and baldness have emerged in mainstream storytelling, it was time for a film to tackle a subject about looks head-on and share a worthy message! We are happy to announce a fresh Bollywood pairing of Nawazuddin and Nupur for this unique romance,” Pathak, who has previously bankrolled films such as Drishyam (2015), Raid (2018), and Ujda Chaman (2019), said in a statement.
Siddiqui said that the upcoming film holds up a mirror to one of society's biggest misconceptions and sends out a message that “looks are a matter of perception”.
Singh said he is happy to be directing the project with the Sacred Games star and Nupur Sanon. “They are the most mismatched couple I could have found who will turn out to be the perfect match. And V-Day is the best day to get started," the filmmaker said.
Nupur Sanon said she is thrilled to be working with Siddiqui in her very first film. Her sister, Kriti Sanon, congratulated her and shared the poster of Noorani Chehra on her Instagram handle. She wrote in the caption, “So, so happy for you, Nupur. This is the beginning of a new chapter, a new journey and I know how special this one is!! Fly high, listen to your gut, absorb everything happening around, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy every bit of this time. ❤P.S. You are working with an incredible actor who I’ve always wanted to share the screen with! You’ve got the best to learn from! Good luck to the entire team of Noorani Chehra! It’s gonna be a quirky one!”
Noorani Chehra is produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Aarushi Malhotra, Nandini Sharma, Neeta Shah, and Bharat Kumar Shah.
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.