By: Mohnish Singh
As the possibility of theatres resuming operations with full occupancy in months to come starts to look bleak, several films that were originally scheduled to release in cinemas are heading to streaming media platforms.
The latest one to join the bandwagon is the much-awaited spy thriller Bell Bottom, starring Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta and Huma Qureshi in prominent roles. Initially, the makers were completely against the idea of releasing the film digitally and had locked May 28 to release it in theatres.
However, the coronavirus situation in India took a tragic turn and several states had to reimpose lockdown to contain the spread of the virus in the second wave. Since May 28 release in theatres is next to impossible for Bell Bottom, the makers have reportedly locked the deal with Disney+ Hotstar for a direct-to-digital premiere.
Yesterday, we also reported that Bell Bottom is being sold to Disney+ Hotstar for a digital premiere. Confirming this development, producer Nikkhil Advani says, “I believe it is being considered. But the final monetizing lies with Pooja Entertainment.”
Bell Bottom, directed by Ranjit M Tiwari, is a joint venture between Emmay Entertainment and Pooja Entertainment. If Disney+ Hotstar manages to add the high-profile film to its catalogue, it will be its second premium acquisition featuring Akshay Kumar. The actor’s horror-comedy Laxmii also premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in November 2020.
Aside from Bell Bottom, Akshay Kumar has several other exciting films in the pipeline, including Sooryavanshi, Bachchan Pandey, Atrangi Re, Prithviraj, Ram Setu, Raksha Bandhan, and Mission Lion. The actor has also signed on to headline a streaming show on Amazon Prime Video.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals 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.