Award-winning filmmaker Prakash Jha is ready with the next season of his hugely popular streaming show Aashram, starring Bollywood star Bobby Deol in the lead role of a self-proclaimed godman. The filmmaker faced several hurdles during the making of the first two seasons also but filming the third season turned out to be a scarier experience. For those not in the know, Jha was attacked by Bajrang Dal activists on the sets of Aashram 3 last year.
In October, the Bajrang Dal activists had allegedly attacked the show’s set in Bhopal and also threw ink on Jha, claiming that the show by the filmmaker portrayed Hindus wrongly.
Recalling the horrific incident, Jha told reporters, “It was only a one-hour show. Some guys came and created mayhem and went away. After that was taken care of, we went back to our shoots and completed the schedule of the day.”
He added that these things are expected in our society because we have all kinds of people and that they will behave rationally or irrationally, so he looks at it in a natural way.
Jha said that if the group, which barged on the sets and halted shooting, had tried talking to him, there would have been at least some discussion about tweaking the narrative. He, however, claims that he has not made any changes in the storyline after the attack.
“We didn’t alter anything; we didn’t have to do anything because there was no dialogue... If there had been a dialogue, we would have thought of adding or altering. I'm still waiting if somebody wants to talk,” he added.
Actor Bobby Deol, whose career saw a revival after the huge success of Aashram, feels that the show is the best thing that has happened to him. “Aashram' is the best thing that has happened to me. Prakash sir, MX Player worked hard to make it happen. Though I personally never had any personal experience with any baba,” the 55-year-old actor said.
In addition to Bobby Deol, Aashram 3 also stars Aaditi Pohankar, Adhyayan Suman, Anupria Goenka, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Darshan Kumaar, and Tridha Choudhury. The show starts streaming on June 3 on MX Player.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.