After making India groove to her chart-busting song Dilbar from the film Satyamev Jayate (2018), Indian-Moroccan model-actress Nora Fatehi has bagged a prominent role in Nikkhil Advani’s forthcoming directorial venture Batla House, starring John Abraham in the lead role.
The film reunites the actress with Abraham and Advani after vigilante drama Satyamev Jayate, which was headlined by the former and produced by the latter. Batla House, based on the infamous Batla House encounter of 2008, stars John Abraham as then ACP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.
The movie started rolling on 21st October, 2019. Nora Fatehi, however, is expected to join the shoot towards the end of November.
“Around the time that we were shooting for Dilbar, I was surprised to learn that Nora was only being used for item songs even though she is really expressive and understands nuances, language of cinema well. All that is needed is to put her through language classes before she starts shooting for the film towards November-end, so she loses her accent,” says filmmaker Nikkhil Advani.
Nora also confirms the news, saying, “I play a key role in the film which requires me to take up extensive workshops with diction classes. It’s an honour to be a part of this project and I am grateful for a team that believes in me as an actor.”
Produced by Emmay Entertainment in association with T-Series Films, Batla House is set to roll into theatres on 15th August, 2019.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.