Last seen in the Anurag Kashyap-directed Manmarziyaan (2018), Abhishek Bachchan is presently working on his next film, titled The Big Bull. The latest update on the upcoming project is that actress Nikita Dutta has been roped in to pair up with Junior Bachchan. Ileana D’Cruz is also playing the female lead in The Big Bull. However, she is not romantically paired opposite Bachchan in the film.
Nikita Dutta, who grabbed a lot of eyeballs for her brief but highly impactful performance in Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani’s massive blockbuster Kabir Singh (2019), has already started shooting for the film in Delhi. According to reliable sources, the actress has been offered an important role to play in the movie.
The Big Bull, which was officially announced a couple of weeks ago, is based on real events of the financial market that took place between 1990 and 2000, involving Harshad Mehta and his financial crimes. Filmmaker Kookie Gulati is directing the film for producers Ajay Devgn and Anand Pandit. Kumar Mangat Pathak and Vikrant Sharma are attached to the project as co-producers.
Apart from The Big Bull, Nikita Dutta will also be seen with actor Emraan Hashmi in the Hindi remake of the Malayalam supernatural horror film Ezra (2017). Director Jay K, who directed the original film, has been signed on to direct its remake as well.
Talking about the upcoming projects of Abhishek Bachchan, the actor will next be seen in an untitled multi-starrer, directed by Anurag Basu. He is also making his digital debut with Amazon Prime Video’s Breathe 2. As for Ileana D'Cruz, she will shortly be seen in the much-awaited comic-caper Pagalpanti, co-starring John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Anil Kapoor, Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda and Urvashi Rautela. The film is scheduled to hit the marquee on 22nd November, 2019.
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.