Last seen in Marjaavaan (2019), Sidharth Malhotra has signed a slew of films over the past one-and-a-half year. He is presently waiting for the release of his much-awaited film Shershaah, which is a biographical drama based on the life of Kargil War martyr Vikram Batra.
Directed by debutant filmmaker Vishnuvardhan for Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the film has faced several setbacks ever since hitting the shooting floor. Originally slated to release in theatres, Shershaah is now reportedly gearing up for a direct-to-digital release on a leading streaming media platform.
While the makers are yet to decide on a premiere date for Shershaah, Sidharth Malhotra has reportedly signed a new actioner with Dharma Productions. The actor made his acting debut with Karan Johar’s Student of the Year in 2012 and has headlined several films under the banner over the years.
“Sidharth has signed a big action film with Karan again. It is a romantic film with a lot of action and he wants to explore the action genre since it has worked for him in the past. The story has all the elements similar to Ek Villain, which is also his highest-grossing solo film till date. When Karan was planning to put this project together, he immediately offered it to Sidharth who liked it. Karan’s banner will just be producing it whereas a new director might helm it,” a source close to the development informs a digital publication.
Meanwhile, Malhotra has completed over 60 per cent of the shoot for RSVP Movies’ next production venture Mission Majnu, and has started shooting for T-Series Films’ Thank God as well. Apart from that, he also has the official remake of the superhit Telugu-language action-comedy film DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017) in his pocket.
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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.