Just yesterday we reported that Ranbir Kapoor will kick-off his next Animal in April or May 2022. Also starring Parineeti Chopra, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor in lead roles, the gangster drama has Sandeep Reddy Vanga in the director’s chair. The team is planning to wrap up the shoot within 6 months, as per reports.
And now, a new update has emerged that producer Bhushan Kumar, along with all the stakeholders, has started conversations on the release date of Animal. If things fall into place, the film will arrive in theatres on the auspicious occasion of Eid in 2023.
A source informs a publication, “It is commercial, high on Testosterone and the team feels that the premise makes it a perfect Eid outing for the audience. There is a scope of powerful music too in here.”
If the makers eventually lock Eid 2023 as the release date, Animal would be Ranbir Kapoor's first Eid release to date. So far, only Salman Khan’s films have mostly dominated Eid release dates. Some of the most successful films he scored during the festivities of Eid include Wanted (2009), Dabangg (2010), Bodyguard (2011), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), and Sultan (2016) among others.
Other than Animal, Ranbir Kapoor has a few more exciting films in his line-up. He will next be seen in Yash Raj Films’ much-awaited dacoit drama Shamshera, co-starring Vaani Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt. Directed by Karan Malhotra, the film is set to hit the silver screen on March 18, 2022.
The actor is also working on Dharma Productions’ much-delayed fantasy adventure drama Brahmastra with Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, and Mouni Roy. He also headlines filmmaker Luv Ranjan’s next with Shraddha Kapoor.
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.