The forthcoming Hindi film Daas Dev, which has already faced several delays, has been pushed to a new release date yet again. Earlier slated to hit the silver screen on 23rd February, the political thriller will now arrive in theatres on 20th April.
Though many people may think that the decision has been taken to avoid the box office clash with Hichki and Baa Baaa Black Sheep which are also scheduled to release on 23rd February, the makers explain that they have shifted the film to 20th April in the interest of better distribution and marketing efforts.
Daas Dev will now be distributed by Shringar Films Pvt Ltd. The company will handle the PAN India distribution mandate of the film, which means it will now get a better screen count at theatres.
“I have shaped the story the way I envisaged it. My part as a director is to put all my energies into the creative process of making the movie and doing justice to the script. As far as business decisions, strategies and release dates are concerned, Shringar Films have a bigger vision for the movie and we know we are in great hands. We are excited to bring Daas Dev to a larger audience," director Sudhir Mishra said in a statement.
Daas Dev, which is the reversed version of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic novel Devdas, has Rahul Bhat, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Saurabh Shukla, Deepraj Rana, Saurabh Tyagi, Dalip Tahil, Anil George, Anurag Kashyap and Vineet Kumar Singh in the cast.
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.