By: Mohnish Singh
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s next directorial venture Cirkus is set for its theatrical bow on December 31, 2021, according to reports. It stars Ranveer Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Pooja Hegde in lead roles.
Cirkus is based on Gulzar’s cult film Angoor (1982) which drew its inspiration from William Shakespeare's play The Comedy of Errors. The film went on floors in October last year and has been progressing at a brisk pace since then.
A source close to the development informs a popular publication that the makers believe that New Year’s Eve is the perfect date to introduce a film like Cirkus to the audience and hence, they have locked December 31, 2021, for the theatrical rollout of the film.
Besides Singh, Fernandez, and Hegde, Cirkus also features Varun Sharma, Sanjay Mishra, and Johnny Lever in important roles. The film has been jointly produced by T-Series Films, Rohit Shetty Picturez, and Reliance Entertainment.
While speaking to an entertainment portal, Shibasish Sarkar, CEO, Reliance Entertainment, had recently said that Cirkus is expected to wrap up its shoot by March-end or early April, and they are looking at releasing the film by 2021 end or early part of 2022.
Meanwhile, Rohit Shetty is waiting for the release of his much-awaited film Sooryavanshi, starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in lead roles. After missing its release in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the action entertainer has now set April 2 for its theatrical release.
Ranveer Singh, on the other hand, is also awaiting the release of his hotly anticipated film ’83. The sports-drama, directed by Kabir Khan, was originally set to hit the marquee on April 10, 2020. It will now release on June 4, 2021. Besides Cirkus and ‘83, Singh also has Yash Raj Films’ Jayeshbhai Jordaar in the pipeline. The film will release on August 27, 2021.
Keep visiting this space 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.