By: Mohnish Singh
Bollywood has announced a couple of big-ticket films in the past few weeks. Joining the growing list is actor Ranbir Kapoor’s next psychological thriller titled Animal. Bankrolled by Bhushan Kumar and Murad Khetani under T-Series Films and Cine1 Studios respectively, Animal will be directed by filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga who made his Bollywood debut with Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani’s Kabir Singh (2019). Joining Ranbir Kapoor on the star cast of the film are Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Parineeti Chopra.
The makers at midnight unveiled the audio teaser of Animal, giving a sneak peek into the world of the film. The over one-minute-long video begins with a creepy whistle and then it introduces viewers to Ranbir Kapoor’s character who is heard talking to his father about being reborn and love. The clip concludes with the sound of gunshots.
Talking about the film, Ranbir Kapoor said in a statement: “During the pandemic, we all got some time to introspect and choose films that are close to our hearts. So, when Sandeep narrated the story, I grew close to the character and was immediately keen on doing the role. I am a huge admirer of both of his movies and really looking forward to our creative collaboration. Bhushan sir is one of the producers who is backing strong content, entertaining cinema, and his immense knowledge of music will be seen in Animal. I am so grateful to work with such a great ensemble cast, I cannot wait to start shoot for Animal.”
Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared: “I am very happy to associate with Bhushanji and T-Series family along with my home production Bhadrakali Pictures headed by my brother Pranay Reddy Vanga. I am very excited to call action and cut on Ranbir Kapoor. The exemplary Anil Sir, Bobby Ji, and sprightly Parineeti will be adding so much to the film.”
Before Animal, Ranbir Kapoor will be seen in Dharma Productions’ Brahmastra and Yash Raj Films’ Shamshera. The actor is also headlining hit filmmaker Luv Ranjan’s romcom with Shraddha Kapoor.
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.