One of the leading filmmakers Ronnie Screwvala, who has previously headed UTV India, is set to bring an electric mix of engrossing stories in coming few years. The producer has taken a step closer to achieving his goals by signing seven new directors. Anand Tiwari, Akarsh Khurana, Sneha Taurani, Aditya Dhar, Vandana Kataria, Vasan Bala and Amit Joshi are some of the names who will be working closely with Screwvala to tell stories which we have never seen before on the celluloid.
Talking about the new directors and their work, first we have Anand Tiwari. Anand is a multi-talented artist. He is a stage actor, writer and director who has been part of films like Udaan and Go Goa Gone. He has assisted Anurag Basu on Jagga Jasoos along with helming Y-Films’ web series Bang Baaja Baarat. Amit Joshi, on the other hand, has written the critically acclaimed film Trapped. Vasan Bala is also a writer and assistant director known for films like Raman Raghav 2.0 and The Lunchbox.
Vandana Kataria has worked as a production designer for Dibakar Banerjee's films like Detective Byomkesh Bakshi, Shanghai and Oye Lucky Lucky Oye. Aditya Dhar has written movies like Aakrosh and Tezz.
Sneha Taurani is Ramesh Taurani’s daughter and has worked as an assistant director for movies like Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, Murder 2 and Wake Up Sid. Last but not the least is Akarsh Khurana. He is a writer who has written 4 movies including U Me Aur Hum, Kites, Krrish and Krrish 3.
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.