Priyanka Chopra Jonas, after staying away from Bollywood for three long years, made her comeback to Hindi cinema with a biographical drama The Sky Is Pink (2019). Also starring Farah Akhtar and Zaira Wasim in important roles, the movie received good critical response but the same did not translate into box-office numbers at the ticket window.
After the commercial failure of The Sky Is Pink, PC has not signed any new Bollywood films. While her fans on home turf are waiting to see what she is going to do next, one thing seems certain that the actress is not going to star in the fourth instalment of the much-awaited Krrish franchise. For the unversed, the former Miss World played the female lead in Krrish (2006) and Krish 3 (2013), two immensely successful part of the sci-fi movie series.
Reportedly, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is not approaching the actress for his dream project because it primarily revolves around the male lead, played by his son Hrithik Roshan, and Jonas will not do a project which does not put her at the centre stage.
“The Roshans are not even going to ask Priyanka this time. See, she won’t do films in Bollywood that don’t centre around her character. Everybody knows the Krrish franchise revolves around Hrithik Roshan’s character. That can’t be changed. Now that Priyanka is a big international star, Rakesh Roshan will, in all likelihood, find another co-star nearer home for Hrithik,” a source in the know informs a popular publication.
Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is currently juggling several high-profile projects for leading streaming media giants like Amazon Studios and Netflix. She has We Can Be Heroes, The White Tiger, Citadel and Sheela on her platter.
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.