Saare Jahan Se Achcha is perhaps one of the most delayed projects Bollywood has seen in recent times. The makers have been planning to take the movie to the floor for more than two years now, but to no avail.
The producers had first approached Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan to play astronaut Rakesh Sharma in the biopic. However, the superstar could not take up the project due to his busy schedule and recommended Shah Rukh Khan’s name to the makers.
SRK was expected to start working on the film right after the release of Zero (2018). However, the Aanand L Rai-directorial bombed at the box-office and the superstar backed out of Saare Jahan Se Achcha at the last moment.
After Shah Rukh Khan’s exit from the much-talked-about project, several names were thrown around for the role of Rakesh Sharma, but the makers never went on to confirm any casting officially.
The latest we hear that after failing to get Vicky Kaushal onboard to play the lead part in the film, the makers have now set their eyes on Ranbir Kapoor.
Kapoor played Sanjay Dutt in his last release Sanju (2018) therefore he was a little apprehensive about doing another biopic so soon. “Ranbir loved the script. His only reservation is about entering the biopic space so soon after Sanju. But the producers have almost convinced him to play India’s most distinguished astronaut,” a source revealed.
Meanwhile, Ranbir is presently busy with his upcoming release Brahmastra, co-starring Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan and Mouni Roy.
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.