Last seen together in celebrated filmmaker Aparna Sen’s National Award-winning film 15 Park Avenue (2005), immensely talented actress Shabana Azmi and Shefali Shah have joined hands for an upcoming medical-thriller series. Inspired from some real-life occurrences in hospitals, the series is being bankrolled by well-known filmmaker Vipul Shah.
Initially, Vipul Shah was keen to make a feature film on the same subject, but then he decided to bring it as a series as summing it up in two and a half hour was not possible. “Vipul Shah felt that the content was so relevant and interesting that it would not fit well in a two and a half hour film. Then he decided to create a show that could go either on the TV or on the OTT platform which would do justice to the subject,” a source close to the development reveals.
Shedding some more light on the characters that Shabana and Shefali play in the series, producer Vipul Shah said, “Shefali is playing a doctor while Shabana will be essaying the role of her boss and owner of the hospital where she works. The show will revolve around their characters and the unique, conflicted relationship they share.”
The producer also revealed that he has been working on the series for quite some time now. “I had started developing it as a film but eventually realised that the subject I want to incorporate would not fit in such a short time-frame,” he added.
Vipul Shah informs that the project is still in the development stage and will be shot in cities like Bhopal and Indore. “It will go on the floors shortly and will be set in cities like Bhopal and Indore,” he concluded.
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.