Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has been missing from the silver screen for almost four years. His last release was Yash Raj Films’ Thugs of Hindostan in 2018, which bombed at the box office. Khan will next be seen in his home production Laal Singh Chaddha, which is an official remake of the successful Hollywood film Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks.
Khan unveiled the trailer of the film a couple of weeks. While some heaped praises on the trailer and said they were looking forward to watching the film, others did not seem pleased and complained that it reminded them of Khan’s character in Dhoom 3. Khan plays a Sikh man in Laal Singh Chaddha and the trailer also drew criticism for his Punjabi accent.
Punjabi actor Sargun Mehta, who has also headlined several successful Hindi shows, recently reacted to memes on Aamir Khan’s Punjabi accent in the film. She said that the superstar could have done better. “If Aamir would have said in pure Punjabi, nobody could have understood. If the superstar next does a Bengali film and uses too much of Bengali words, then we’ll be not able to understand it,” she said.
The actress went on to add, “Aamir sir is not a Punjabi and he has taken up a role. Actors are supposed to take versatile roles. I can say that he could have done a bit better but whatever he has done in the film, it takes a lot to get the results. He has been calm and has worked really hard.”
Directed by Advait Chandan, who made his directorial debut with Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar in 2017, Laal Singh Chaddha also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Naga Chaitanya, and Mona Singh in important roles.
The film is set to release on August 11, 2022. It will clash with Akshay Kumar’s Raksha Bandhan, which comes out on the same date.
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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.