Buzz in Bollywood corridors has it that Yash Raj Films is set to roll out a sequel to their superhit film Bunty Aur Babli (2005). Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji in prominent roles, the crime comedy was one of the most successful movies of 2005, which draws a huge chunk of audience on its television premiere even to date.
According to reports, Gully Boy (2019) fame Siddhant Chaturvedi and Sharvari Wagh have already been roped in to play important characters in the sequel. Recently, it came to light that from the original cast Rani Mukerji has been retained to play a pivotal part in Bunty Aur Babli 2. Saif Ali Khan has also come onboard, having turned down the offer in the beginning.
“Rani Mukerji was the lead actress in Bunty Aur Babli as well and her performance was appreciated a lot. Hence, her addition to the cast of Bunty Aur Babli 2 adds a lot to the film. Off late, she has been doing female-centric films like Mardaani (2014) and Hichki (2018). Even the upcoming flick Mardaani 2 (2019) is on the same lines. There is nothing wrong in that but it might get a bit monotonous. With Bunty Aur Babli 2, she will be giving audiences something new and it will be great to see her as a part of an ensemble cast,” a source in the know informs an entertainment portal.
The source goes on to add that the seasoned actress will start shooting for the sequel in January 2020. “Rani will start shooting the film from January 2020, once she is done with the promotions and release of Mardaani 2. She is expected to shoot till around mid-March.”
Meanwhile, Rani Mukerji is gearing up for the release of her next film Mardaani 2, which is a sequel to her much-loved 2014 film Mardaani. Directed by Gopi Puthran and produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 2 hits the marquee on 13th December, 2020.
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.