By: Mohnish Singh
Pratik Gandhi, who spring-boarded into overnight success with the 2020 web-series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, next stars in a romantic comedy, titled Atithi Bhooto Bhava. The talented actor began shooting for the film on 22nd January in Mathura. Apart from Mathura, the movie will also be shot across beautiful locations in Vrindavan, Gokul, and Gwalior.
In addition to Gandhi, Atithi Bhooto Bhava also features seasoned Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff and newcomer Sharmin Segal on the cast. Segal and Gandhi are romantically paired opposite each other in the romcom.
Helmed by Hardik Gajjar, Atithi Bhooto Bhava is being produced by Hardik Gajjar Films and Back Bencher Pictures. Dr. Jayantilal Gada of Pen Studios has come on board as a presenter. This will be Gajjar’s third film with Gandhi after a Hindi film called Ravan Leela (2020) and the yet-to-be-released film Vaahlam Jaao Ne in Gujarati.
Psyched up about his next project, Gandhi says, “I am extremely excited to collaborate again with director Hardik Gajjar and Pen Studios. This unique love story will be a learning experience as I will be working with a supremely talented actor Jackie Shroff.”
Dr. Jayantilal Gada says, “Pen Studios is glad to associate with the talented duo Pratik Gandhi and Hardik Gajjar again. This is our second collaboration after Ravan Leela. Jackie Shroff was always on our wish list. Both these films are content-driven and that has always been Pen Studios’ aim.”
So far, not much else has been revealed about the upcoming production as other details are being kept under wraps by the team. The makers are, however, looking at wrapping up the shoot as soon as possible and release the film in 2021 itself. No official release date has been confirmed, though.
Keep visiting this space again and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy 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.