There is no denying the fact that Saif Ali Khan is one of the finest actors working in Bollywood. He has delivered several notable performances over the years, and has even won the prestigious National Film Award for Yash Raj Films’ romantic comedy Hum Tum (2004).
After a dismal 2019, Khan kick-started 2020 with high-profile period drama Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, co-starring Ajay Devgn and Kajol in principal roles. Released on 10th January, the movie set the box-office on fire and turned out to be a massive blockbuster.
Saif Ali Khan followed Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior with Jawaani Jaaneman (2020) which did not fare well at the box-office. The actor had a lot of expectations from the movie but somehow it did not perform as per expectations. After the failure of the film, Khan has now, reportedly, signed a project with filmmaker Rahul Dholakia who last directed Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees (2017).
According to reports, Dholakia has been trying to get this project off the ground for a while now. With Saif onboard, the filmmaker may start rolling cameras soon. “After the failure of Laal Kaptaan (2019) and Jawaani Jaaneman where Saif gave his blood and sweat, Saif is currently looking at working with directors he has not worked with before and he has really liked Rahul Dholakia’s script,” a source in the know informs a popular publication.
A couple of months ago, Rahul Dholakia had announced a film with Kriti Sanon wherein the actress was set to play a journalist. The female-driven film was expected to begin production soon. But as things stand today, the film with Kriti has been shelved and the director has moved on to begin work on his next project.
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.