By: Mohnish Singh
When several production houses were busy releasing their films directly on streaming media platforms in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, Yash Raj Films was one of those few banners that chose to hold the release of their films and waited for theatres to resume operations.
Now, with theatres across India finally opening their doors to the audience, reports suggest that YRF head honcho Aditya Chopra is contemplating a Christmas release for his much-awaited production offering Bunty Aur Babli 2. The film, which wrapped up its shoot a couple of weeks ago, features Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Sharvari in lead roles.
A source close to the development informed an Indian publication, “With theatres expected to be up and running, filmmakers have begun zeroing in on release windows for their movies. Considering Bunty Aur Babli 2 is a light-hearted con-caper, the makers feel it would be an ideal festival outing. The Christmas window is empty after the team of Ranveer Singh’s ‘83 decided to push its release to 2021. However, the talks are at a nascent stage. They will arrive at a decision in the coming week.”
As the title aptly suggests, Bunty Aur Babli 2 is a sequel to the 2005 film Bunty Aur Babli which saw Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rani Mukerji fronting the lead cast. The con-caper was a huge money-spinner upon its release some 15 years ago. Its music is popular among the masses even today. The sequel has been directed by Varun V Sharma, who will be making his directorial debut with it.
An official announcement regarding the release date of the film is highly awaited.
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.