Renowned filmmaker Prakash Jha is known for making films that deal with politics, corruption, and crime. His next offering is Aashram, an MX Player Original revolving around a godman. Popular Bollywood actor Bobby Deol, who can be currently seen in the Netflix film Class of 83 (2020), plays the central character in the nine-episode series.
Buzz has it that Aashram is loosely based on the lives of godmen Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a convicted rapist and murderer, and Asaram Bapu, charged with raping a minor girl. When asked about the same, Prakash Jha said, “This story was brought to me by MX Player and it is about how the common man puts his faith in anyone who can easily influence him. I am a Hindu and I do puja every day and follow my religion and love all the religions. But in this country, there are people who have exploited people who have placed their faith in them. This is the story of a criminal who is revered as a Baba.”
The award-winning filmmaker went on to add, “It is not based on any person or a particular religion. It is a fictitious story about people and their ideals which lead to their exploitation. We even released a disclaimer before the trailer was released, saying we respect our country and it is a pleasure to live in a country which has many religions, a vast culture, and spiritualism.”
He further said, “Once it is released, people will understand that it is not about any religion or a particular individual. There is not a single reference to religion, colour, a statue, a god, or anything.”
Also starring Aaditi Pohankar, Anupriya Goenka, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Adhyayan Suman, Darshan Kumaar, and Sachin Shroff in pivotal roles, Aashram starts streaming on 28th August on MX Player.
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.