Filmmaker R Balki has finished filming his next directorial venture Chup: Revenge of the Artist. The psychological thriller, which began production a couple of months ago, features Sunny Deol, Pooja Bhatt, Dulquer Salmaan, and Shreya Dhanwanthary on the ensemble cast. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan also essays an important character in the film.
Dhanwanthary, known for her powerful performances in The Family Man (2019), Scam 1991: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020), and Mumbai Diaries (2021), took to Instagram and posted a series of stories from the film’s set. “It is a wrap on Chup- Revenge of the Artist,” the actress wrote.
In another story, Dhanwanthary posted a video of Salmaan cutting the “final wrap cake” with her and the crew. This is the first time when the entire lead cast of the film is working with award-winning filmmaker Balki. The filmmaker is known for such notable films as Cheeni Kum (2007), Paa (2009), Ki & Ka (2016) and Padman (2018).
The screenplay and dialogues of Chup have been co-written by Balki and film critic-turned-writer Raja Sen and Rishi Virmani. Sen also shared a picture with the 57-year-old filmmaker on Twitter and announced the completion of the project.
The film’s title was revealed on October 10, on the death anniversary of the legendary actor-filmmaker Guru Dutt, with Balki saying that Chup is an “ode to the sensitive artist.” Chup is backed by Hope Productions and Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. It is co-produced by Pranab Kapadia and Anirudh Sharma, with Amit Trivedi attached as music composer.
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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.