'Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! ', the upcoming Hollywood movie appears to put a stamp on fan speculation that the character of Velma Dinkley is attracted to women.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, footage from the new HBO Max film has been making rounds on social media, with several viral posts focusing on fans' elated responses to scenes showing Velma, expressing interest in the female character Coco Diablo, voiced by Myrna Velasco. After Velma seems to be anime free smitten by Coco, a fashion designer with a criminal past, Velma's long-time friend and fellow detective Daphne quips, "I didn't know convicted felons were your type."
A flustered Velma replied by saying, "What? Type -- me? Please. Who has time for a type? We have our work cut out for us, and I am focused like a laser on ... OK, who am I kidding? I'm crushing big-time, Daphne! What do I do? What do I say?"
In another clip, Daphne is shown trying to help Velma strike up a casual conversation with Coco by saying, "Now's your chance to talk to her." Daphne later pulls Velma aside when it's clear that Velma's small-talk skills could use some polish, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
Velma first debuted as a pivotal character on 'Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!', the animated series from Hanna-Barbera Productions that premiered in 1969. The character, a long-time favourite of the LGBTQ community, has long been speculated by fans to be attracted to women.
HBO Max is also developing an animated spin-off series 'Velma', in which the character will be voiced by executive producer Mindy Kaling, as per The Hollywood Reporter.
Meanwhile, 'Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!', is now available for on-demand purchase and will start streaming from October 15 on HBO Max.
(ANI)
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.