By: Mohnish Singh
Speculations were rife lately that Ranveer Singh was keen to headline a pan-India film to expand his stardom. The actor was reportedly in talks with several filmmakers for a possible collaboration, but things did not fall into place then.
However, if fresh reports are to be believed, his efforts have finally borne fruits as well-known South Indian filmmaker Shankar has offered him the lead role in his next directorial offering, which could be the Hindi remake of his Tamil blockbuster Anniyan (2005). And not just that, Singh will romance Kiara Advani in the yet-to-be-titled film.
The thunderous success of Kabir Singh (2019) and Good Newwz (2019) has propelled Advani to the big league in Bollywood. She already has several high-profile films on her platter and is constantly receiving offers from not only Bollywood but the South Indian film industry also where she has already delivered big hits alongside superstars like Mahesh Babu. While the actress has multiple projects in her pocket, she has reportedly given her nod to Shankar's next as well.
Buzz has it that since Shankar’s much-delayed directorial Indian 2 with Kamal Haasan and Kajal Aggarwal has yet not resumed production, the director has moved on to helm a new film starring Ram Charan. His next with Ranveer Singh might go before cameras after he wraps up his film with Ram Charan.
Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh is presently waiting for the release of his much-awaited films ’83 and Jayeshbhai Jordaar. He is also shooting for Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus, alongside Jacqueline Fernandez and Pooja Hegde.
Kiara Advani, on the other hand, has such films in her pocket as Shershaah, Jug Jugg Jeeyo, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and Karram Kurram.
Keep visiting this space over and again 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.