Ever since making her silver screen debut with Kedarnath (2018) and following it up with a commercial potboiler like Simmba (2018), Sara Ali Khan has been on the wish-list of many filmmakers in the industry. Well-established filmmakers like Imtiaz Ali and David Dhawan are already working with her, and if latest reports are to be believed, award-winning director Vishal Bhardwaj is also keen to rope in Sara for his next directorial outing.
"Vishal loved how Sara performed in her first two films. He had expressed his desire to team up with Sara for some time now. They recently met and discussed a project which they both want to do together. Vishal is known for his content-driven films and Sara also has been an avid follower of his movies. They have verbally agreed on doing the film but Vishal is currently finetuning the script. Not much is known about the movie at this point but it will be a female centric subject with Sara leading from the front,” informs a source in the know.
According to reports, the untitled film will begin production next year in 2020. The team will officially announce the project ahead of beginning the first schedule. Vishal Bhardwaj, who last helmed Pataakha (2018), has worked with Sara’s father Saif Ali Khan in Omkara (2006) and Rangoon (2016).
Apart from the aforementioned project, Sara Ali Khan is also in talks with Balaji Motion Pictures’ head Ekta Kapoor for a film. Buzz has it that Anees Bazmee will direct the untitled film, while Vicky Kaushal will play the male lead in it. More details are expected to arrive soon. The actress is also rumoured to have given her nod to filmmaker Aanand L Rai’s next with Dhanush.
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.