Filming on Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut Being Mortal was suspended this week following a complaint made against star Bill Murray for inappropriate behaviour.
Being Mortal is the screen adaptation of Atul Gawande’s nonfiction book Being Mortal: Illness, Medicine and What Matters in the End. Apart from helming the project, Ansari also stars in it alongside Murray and Seth Rogen. The team began production nearly a month ago in Los Angeles, and filming was halfway through before the production halted this week.
While specifics have not been made public, Deadline reported that the complaint was filed last week against Murray, 71. Ansari was not a part of the complaint, nor was co-star Seth Rogen. At this time, it is unclear what Murray's involvement in the movie will be going forward.
According to Deadline, filming was paused Monday before the decision was made to suspend the Searchlight Pictures production. The cast and crew have received a letter informing them of this decision, which was also shared by the publication. The letter stated the hope is to resume production in the future.
Searchlight Pictures on Wednesday confirmed that the Being Mortal production had been suspended, but would not comment on an ongoing investigation.
The letter quoted, “Late last week, we were made aware of a complaint, and we immediately looked into it.”
The note also said, “Our hope is to resume production, and (we) are working with Aziz and (producer Youree Henley) to figure out that timing.”
The makers were looking at releasing the film in 2023. If the suspension affects production for a long time, the team may postpone the release.
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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.