By: Mohnish Singh
As theatres in India continue to remain shut amid a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, several films are heading to streaming media platforms for their direct-to-digital premieres.
On Tuesday, Netflix premiered Emmay Entertainment and JA Entertainment, and T-Series Films’ latest offering Sardar Ka Grandson on the service. Billed as a coming-of-age cross-border romance, the film stars Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, and Neena Gupta in lead roles.
Sardar Ka Grandson was initially slated to release in theatres, but due to the uncertainty of the current situation, it premiered on Netflix. Talking about the same, Rakul Preet Singh told a newswire, “I think as an actor each one of us in the ideal situation wants the magic of the screen and wants to have that experience. But right now, we have got a platform like Netflix to be able to show this.”
Singh is happy that Sardar Ka Grandson has released on Netflix as it will ensure a wider reach for her film. “We are really happy that through this platform we can probably reach out and serve the purpose of bringing a smile to people's faces and families can watch together, share some laughter and some great memories. If a handful of people like it, our job is done,” she added.
Directed by debutant filmmaker Kaashvie Nair, Sardar Ka Grandson also stars Soni Razdan, Kumud Mishra, Kanwaljit Singh, and Divya Seth in important roles, with John Abraham and Aditi Rao Hydari in cameo roles.
Meanwhile, Rakul Preet Singh will next be seen in MayDay, which also stars Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn in lead roles. The actress also essays an important character in Shankar’s Tamil film Indian 2, co-starring Kamal Haasan, Siddharth, and Kajal Aggarwal.
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 '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.