Jai Gangaajal (2016), helmed by award-winning filmmaker Prakash Jha, was the last Hindi film Priyanka Chopra was seen in. It has been more than 3 years since the release of the cop-drama and her fans in India are dying to see the internationally popular actress on the silver screen. Good news is that she is finally returning to the home turf with a biographical film called The Sky Is Pink.
Priyanka Chopra started shooting for the film in August 2018 and wrapped it up a couple of weeks ago. Everything was perfect and the entire team was looking forward to the release of the film in October. However, as the makers were busy chalking out the promotional strategy for the movie, Zaira Wasim, the main female lead of the film, announced disassociation from movies. Reportedly, she even requested the makers of The Sky In Pink to excuse her from the promotions of the film.
With Zaira Wasim bidding adieu to show business, the entire responsibility of promoting the film has now fallen on the shoulders of Priyanka Chopra. For the unversed, PC is also the co-producer of the film.
Talking about the same, a source close to the development reveals to an Indian daily, “PC is not just the lead actress in the film but the producer as well. She plays mother to Zaira who is primarily the protagonist. The film is based on the life of Aisha Chaudhary who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and went on to become a motivational speaker. Zaira plays Aisha in the film and PC is her mother.”
Besides Zaira Wasim and Priyanka Chopra, The Sky Is Pink also stars Farhan Akhtar in an important role. The film is directed by Shonali Bose, who rose to fame after helming the award-winning film Margarita With A Straw (2014). Priyanka Chopra has jointly produced it with Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur. The movie releases on 10th October, 2019.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.