By: Mohnish Singh
Talented actor Randeep Hooda, who was most recently seen in American action thriller Extraction (2020) alongside Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth, is set to make his web-series debut with Jio Studios’ Inspector Avinash.
As the title aptly suggests, Inspector Avinash is a cop thriller based on real-life events of super cop Avinash Mishra. Hooda plays the titular role of a police officer in the upcoming web-series.
Directed by Neerraj Pathak and produced by Pathak and Krishan Chowdhray, the show is set in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. The makers are looking at beginning production in December 2020. A major part of the show will be shot at real locations.
Taking about Inspector Avinash, Hooda says, “I look forward to exploring new challenging roles with each of my characters and Inspector Avinash gives me a fabulous opportunity to do that. It is a highly inspiring and interesting role based on the true-life events of a super cop. I believe in Neerraj’s vision for the show and cannot wait to begin filming this thrilling cop drama. This is also my first collaboration with Jio Studios and I am looking forward to this association.”
Director Neerraj Pathak is equally thrilled about teaming up with Jio Studios and Hooda. Sharing his excitement, he says, “I am very glad Jio Studios believed in my vision and came on board to back the project. Randeep Hooda is ideal for reprising the role of a super cop and will add an interesting dimension to the character. We are very excited to have him play the lead. We commence shooting next month in December.”
Randeep Hooda has just finished shooting for Salman Khan’s Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, wherein he plays the lead antagonist. The film, also starring Disha Patani, is expected to hit screens on Eid 2021.
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.