By: Mohnish Singh
Parineeti Chopra, who was last seen in Balaji Motion Pictures’ Jabariya Jodi (2019), recently added a high-profile project to her upcoming line-up. The actress bagged the female lead in filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s next directorial Animal, which stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role. An online publication has got some exclusive details about the character that Chopra plays in the much-talked-about film.
“It is a gangster drama, but in a space not done before. The premise of the film entangles the turbulent relationships between all the characters that eventually lead to the protagonist becoming an ‘animal’ in nature,” a source close to the development divulges.
Besides Ranbir Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra, Animal also stars Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol in important roles. While the entire story revolves around Ranbir Kapoor’s character, Parineeti Chopra plays a crucial part too. “Parineeti plays Ranbir’s wife, whereas Anil Kapoor plays his father, who is an emperor of sorts in his line of business,” adds the source.
Spilling some more beans on the premise of the film, the source adds, “It is a rooted gangster drama, with emotions, vengeance, and darkness, yet very larger-than-life in terms of treatment. The idea is to take it on floors around June, but it all depends on the other work commitments of Ranbir, and also his release calendar.”
Meanwhile, Parineeti Chopra is looking forward to the release of her next film The Girl On The Train. As the title suggests itself, the movie is an official remake of the 2016 American psychological thriller of the same name. Also starring Aditi Rao Hydari, Kirti Kulhari and Avinash Tewary in important roles, The Girl On The Train has been directed by Ribhu Dasgupta and is scheduled for its premiere on 26th February on streaming media giant Netflix.
Chopra also headlines acclaimed writer-director Amol Gupte’s next Saina, which is a biographical drama based on the life of Badminton player Saina Nehwal.
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.