Dignity, respect, and kindness are the hallmark of a life well-led, said superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a Twitter Q&A session on Wednesday evening.
The actor said this in response to a question from author Kiran Manral, who simply thanked the actor for "your grace, your dignity, and for the movies".
"Dignity, respect, kindness are the hallmark of a life well-led. I try very hard," he replied, with the hashtag Pathaan, his upcoming movie which will be released on January 25, 2023, in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
The release date of Pathaan, which marks Shah Rukh's return to the movies after over four years, was announced by production house Yash Raj Films on Wednesday.
When a fan asked how he felt about announcing a film release after five years, the 56-year-old star said, "It didn't feel new or strange. When you are in the hearts of people like you…you don't miss yourself!!! (sic)"
I know it’s late… But remember the date… Pathaan time starts now…
See you in cinemas on 25th January, 2023.
Releasing in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Celebrate #Pathaan with #YRF50 only at a big screen near you. @deepikapadukone |@TheJohnAbraham | #SiddharthAnand | @yrf pic.twitter.com/dm30yLDfF7
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 2, 2022
Shah Rukh's last release was 2018's Zero, directed by Aanand L Rai.
During the session, a user tweeted a picture of a group of fans, who arrived outside the star's bungalow Mannat with a placard thanking him for the film announcement. He quipped that the fans should keep the placard safe as he has more announcements lined up.
"If I knew you were coming home would have told you personally…thank you for being there. My love to you. Keep the placard safely for the next few announcements (sic)" he wrote.
The actor is also rumoured to star in filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani's next and headline an actioner with filmmaker Atlee. Shah Rukh also said working on Pathaan, also starring Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, was a homecoming.
"I only love and breathe films….set is where I belong. So it was like going back home."
Billed as "a high-octane spy thriller", the film is directed by Siddharth Anand of War and Bang Bang fame. The actor described filming Pathaan as a "quite physical" experience but added that the team made it very easy for him.
Shah Rukh, who has been away from the big screen for a while, hit the headlines when his son Aryan was arrested in an alleged drug case last year.
Keep visiting this space for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.