If you thought that the audience had abandoned theatres, think again! Give them a brilliant movie and they will flock to cinemas in droves. The same seems to have happened with the latest Bollywood release Sanju, which opened in theatres on 29th June, 2018.
Exceeding all expectations, the Rajkumar Hirani directorialdebuted exceptionally well at the domestic box-office in India. Shattering a number of records, the movie raked in a whopping ₹ 34.75 crores, becoming the highest grossing movie of the year.
Starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role, Sanju is a biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt who has had several highs and lows in her personal and professional life. The biopic sheds light on his fight with drug addiction, terrorism charges levied on him after the infamous Mumbai bombings of 1993, and his relationship with his father, Sunil Dutt.
Co-written by Rajkumar Hirani and his frequent collaborator Abhijat Joshi, the movie has received praises for its taut screenplay and powerful performances by actors, especially Ranbir Kapoor who played Sanjay Dutt with aplomb.
Sanju has emerged as the biggest film for Kapoor in his 11-year-long career. Its success will give his otherwise waning career a great boost. The movie has also become Rajkumar Hirani’s biggest opener, beating his last release PK (2014).Great reviews and excellent word of mouth have helped Sanju put up such a great show at the cash counter. The numbers are expected to be bigger over the weekend. The movie is set to close out its first weekend with an earning above ₹ 100 crores. Some trade experts say that it has got everything to zoom past ₹ 300 crore club in coming few days.
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.