Leading streaming media giant Netflix has announced the premiere date of seasoned actress Manisha Koirala’s forthcoming film Maska. The actress fronts the star cast of the upcoming digital offering alongside Shirley Setia and Prit Kamani. Written and directed by debutant Neeraj Udhwani, Maska will be available to stream from Friday 27th March 2020.
Manisha Koirala, who was most recently seen in Prassthanam (2019) with superstar Sanjay Dutt, wrote on her Twitter handle, “Would you choose a legacy over your own ambitions? Maska premieres 27th March, only on Netflix.”
Celebrating the popular Parsi culture, Maska is a coming-of-age film about a young actor who has big dreams in his eyes and, in the process of realizing those dreams, finds many truths. The ambitions result in the discovery of realities that hold the rookie actor back. The character that Manisha Koirala essays in the film connects the missing dots in his life. Her character will be the driving force behind all the decisions that the young actor makes.
Apart from Manisha Koirala, Shirley Setia and Prit Kamani, Maska also stars Javed Jaffery and Nikita Dutta in important roles. Dutta, who is a popular name on Indian television, received great response for her brief performance in Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani’s blockbuster film Kabir Singh (2019).
Singer and YouTube sensation Shirley Setia is making her acting debut with the upcoming project. She plays a smart, funny and eccentric girl in the movie. Right after the premiere of Maska, she debuts in Bollywood with director Sabbir Khan’s Nikamma, co-starring Abhimanyu Dassani and Shilpa Shetty Kundra.
Maska is set to stream from Friday 27th March, only on Netflix.
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.