According to reports, Prithviraj Sukumaran has reportedly joined forces with Dharma Productions’ Karan Johar to co-produce the remake of his Malayalam hit Driving Licence (2019) in Hindi. The forthcoming film stars Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi in principal roles, with filmmaker Raj Mehta (Good Newwz) attached to direct.
Sharing more details, a source in the know informs an entertainment portal, “While Akshay plays the role of a superstar in this edge of the seat drama, Emraan will be seen portraying the character of a cop, who happens to be a die-hard fan of the Khiladi. The film is an ego battle between the two powerful, which keeps the audience on the edge of their seat.”
The source further added, “When Karan Johar made this proposal to the makers of Driving Licence, Prithviraj was keen to bankroll the project alongside KJo in Hindi. The two eventually decided to join hands on this star-studded project. Much like the original, Driving Licence in Hindi too will be produced by Prithviraj.”
Interestingly, Kumar is already headlining two remakes at the moment and Driving Licence will mark her third remake in quick succession. His much-awaited film Bachchan Pandey is based on the hit Tamil film Jigarthanda (2014). His ongoing film Cinderella, which is currently being shot in the UK, is the remake of the 2018 psychological thriller Ratsasan. The other films in his line-up include Sooryavanshi, Atrangi Re, Prithviraj, Raksha Bandhan, Ram Setu, and Oh My God 2.
Emraan Hashmi, on the other hand, next will be seen in Yash Raj Films’ hugely anticipated film Tiger 3, co-starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. The actor reportedly plays the antagonist in the Maneesh Sharma directorial, set to enter theatres next year in 2022.
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 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.