Penguin Random House India has announced the acquisition of two new book titles by the late legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
These previously unpublished titles by artiste extraordinaire, edited by his son Sandip Ray, will be released under the aegis of 'The Penguin Ray Library' from 2023 onwards.
The first title, Feluda in the Golden Fortress, is an English translation of Ray's cult detective novel called Sonar Kella. First published in 1971 in Bengali, the book was also adapted to screen in 1974 and featured late cinema icon, Soumitra Chatterjee, as Ray's famous 'private detective' Feluda. Satyajit Ray not only directed but also wrote the film's screenplay and composed music.
Equipped with line drawings and illustrations from Ray's sketchbook, the ultimate Feluda book is slated to release in 2023. "Being the first Feluda movie, Sonar Kella is both mine and baba's favourite. The plot, the locale, and the characters are spectacular. This forthcoming book on Sonar Kella will contain some never-seen-before archival materials including writings, illustrations, and photographs from this iconic film. I am sure this will be a treat for all Ray lovers across the globe," said Sandip Ray, who is also member secretary of the Satyajit Ray Society.
The second title, an exceptional collection of essays and interviews of the maestro, selected and edited by Sandip Ray, opens a rare window to Satyajit Ray's life, philosophy and works.
The untitled book will be released in 2024.
According to the publishers, the "ultimate package" of Ray's previously unseen sketches, illustrations, and additional writings is "great news" for the Ray enthusiasts.
“Sonar Kella is one of the most popular stories of Ray, which is loved by everyone. This translation by Satyajit Ray is going to be a landmark event for all of us... Furthermore, the book of essays and interviews is going to be a treasure trove. We are thrilled and honoured to publish these books from Penguin," said Premanka Goswami, executive editor at PRHI.
Launched in 2019, The Penguin Ray Library is a series of Ray's unpublished and curated works, published by Penguin in association with The Satyajit Ray Society.
Since the launch, Penguin has published one new title (3 Rays), redesigned eight previously published titles, and in addition to these new acquisitions has four new titles in the pipeline, all under The Penguin Ray Library.
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.