Well-known Bollywood producer Siddharth Roy Kapur says Saare Jahan Se Achcha is not shelved as it is a great story that's close to his heart.
Siddharth Roy Kapur is producing Saare Jahan Se Achcha, based on the life of astronaut Rakesh Sharma. The biopic will be directed by Mahesh Mathai from a script by noted writer Anjum Rajabali. The filmmaker, whose latest production Netflix series Aranyak (2021) is receiving favourable reviews, said he would not like to make any comment till work starts on Saare Jahan Se Achcha.
“The film will definitely be made. It is a project that is close to our hearts. We would not like to say anything till we go on floors,” Roy Kapur, known for Dangal (2016), Haider (2014), Barfi (2012), and Kai Po Che! (2012), told PTI.
The high-profile project underwent quite a few changes in casting since its announcement in 2017. Superstar Aamir Khan was first approached to be cast as Sharma. Later, Shah Rukh Khan was being considered to play the lead. He had come close to doing the film but things did not materialise.
Names of Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Farhan Akhtar have cropped up in media reports but there has been no official confirmation.
Speaking about getting the right cast for the film, Roy Kapur said every project faces difficulties, adding that the names of a few actors were speculated by the media. “Every film is difficult to make. One has to make sure that you do not lose faith and trust in the story. The story is most important. You need resilience and faith because most great movies get made after going through many ups and downs in the cost of making the movie. And that's what makes them even more special when they finally come to audiences,” he added.
Saare Jahan Se Achcha will be produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ronnie Screwvala under their banners Roy Kapur Films and RSVP Films respectively. Besides this film, Roy Kapur has a slate of films in the pipeline such as Ishaan Khatter's action-war film Pippa, comedy-drama Gobar that he is co-producing with superstar Ajay Devgn, a madcap comedy with Taapsee Pannu and Pratik Gandhi, and Rocket Boys, a SonyLIV series based on the life of Indian nuclear physicists Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai.
The producer said it has been a conscious decision to back different projects. “I am happy to be doing content across multiple genres. What binds them together is a great story,” he added.
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Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.