The Saif Ali Khan starrer Laal Kaptaan has already faced a series of delays in the past few months. It was recently when the makers announced the official title as well as the release date of the film on social media. The movie, which is helmed by NH10 (2015) fame Navdeep Singh, was set to enter theatres on 6th September, 2019.
However, the latest we hear that the makers are contemplating to defer its release from 6th September to some other date. Though there is no official word on why Laal Kaptaan is being pushed ahead again, insiders reveal that the decision is being taken because of multiple releases in the month of August and September.
"Suddenly, there has been a lot of rejigging in the dates, especially around August-September. Initially, Saaho was supposed to release on Independence Day along with Mission Mangal and Batla House. But now, it has been moved to August 30. That also has caused another shift. Nitesh Tiwari's Chhichhore will now hit screens mostly on September 6 and if that happens, Aanand L Rai won't clash with that project for sure at the box office. They won't get enough screens to release Laal Kaptaan,” a trade source tells an entertainment portal.
Also, the team of Laal Kaptaan needs some time to finish the patchwork which will be shot only after Saif Ali Khan returns from London where he is currently shooting for his much-talked-about film Jawaani Jaaneman. "A little bit of patchwork is left to be shot. They realised it while on the edit table. But Saif is currently in London shooting for another film Jawaani Jaaneman. He returns to the city only around mid-August post which they will complete filming those portions again," adds another source.
The makers of Laal Kaptaan may announce the new release date of the film anytime soon.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.