Pooja Hedge debuted in Bollywood with Ashutosh Gowariker’s ambitious film Mohenjo Daro (2016), which features superstar Hrithik Roshan as the male lead. The film, mounted on a huge scale, tanked at the box-office which led the actress to focus more on her fledgeling career in the South Indian film industry.
Today, Pooja Hedge is one of the most sought after actresses in the Telugu film industry. She recently delivered a mega-hit Maharshi (2019) opposite Mahesh Babu, which cemented her position further. After establishing herself down South, the actress is trying to set her foot in Bollywood once again.
Pooja Hegde is already doing Housefull 4 opposite Akshay Kumar. The latest we hear that she has inked a high-profile Hindi film deal with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. According to reports, the actress has been signed for a three-film deal by producer Sajid Nadiadwala. One of the films will be an out-and-out action entertainer. "After starting her prep for the action movie, it's now learnt that the actress has allotted her bulk dates, approximately over two months to the producer,” a source in the know reveals.
The source goes on to add, "Pooja is currently in New York shooting for a south project. For the first time, the actress will be seen stepping out of her comfort zone and will be seen performing some cool action moves in the film. The movie that Pooja is apparently going to start work on is said to be loosely based on the Hollywood fantasy thriller, Tomb Raider (2001) starring Angelina Jolie in the lead role.”
Talking about her Telugu projects, Pooja Hegde is presently shooting for filmmaker Harish Shankar’s Valmiki, co-starring Varun Tej and Atharvaa. It is an official remake of Tamil blockbuster movie, Jigarthanda (2014).
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.