Sara Ali Khan has some exciting projects in her hands right now. On one hand, she has the romantic film Love Aaj Kal set for its release on 14th February. On the other hand, she is doing Coolie No. 1, an out-and-out comic-caper with Varun Dhawan. Recently, the actress added one more interesting project on her resume, titled Atrangi Re.
In a recent chat, Sara Ali Khan opened up about her role in the movie and her co-actors Akshay Kumar and Dhanush. "Honestly, when I read the script of Atrangi Re, I was not convinced I could do the film. The character is a tough one to pull off, and I want to do one hell of a job trying to prove otherwise. Akshay sir is someone I deeply admire, and Dhanush is a talented and understated actor. The idea is to work with diverse actors,” said the actress who began her acting career with Abhishek Kapoor’s Kedarnath (2018).
When asked about working with Aanand L Rai, Sara said that she likes the way the filmmaker portrays women authentically in his films. “Aanand sir depicts his women authentically, and that is what drew me to the film. Cinema is a director's medium. The filmmakers I work with are sensitive, but I don't involve myself in the writing at all,” she concluded.
Sara Ali Khan is presently busy promoting her immediate release Love Aaj Kal, helmed by Imtiaz Ali. The movie is a sequel to Ali’s 2009 film of the same name, which featured Sara’s father Saif Ali Khan opposite Deepika Padukone. Also starring Kartik Aaryan and Arushi Sharma in lead roles, the romantic film is slated to arrive in cinemas on 14th February, on the occasion of Valentines’ Day.
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.