Last seen in Zero (2018), Shah Rukh Khan may return to set the silver screen on fire with a film to be helmed by hit Tamil filmmaker Atlee. After months of speculations, the news is coming in that the superstar may have finally given his nod to his next.
According to the latest reports, Khan has agreed to star in the next directorial outing of Atlee. The filmmaker is expected to begin post-production on his maiden collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan soon.
A popular entertainment portal reports that Atlee recently gave a final narration to Khan which convinced the superstar to join the forces with him. There were also rumours that Atlee was writing a film keeping in mind Jr. NTR. However, if sources are to be believed, the filmmaker is working with Shah Rukh Khan next.
Atlee, who made his directorial debut with Tamil romantic comedy drama Raja Rani in 2013, has delivered some of the biggest hits of Tamil cinema, including Theri (2016), Mersal (2017) and Bigil (2019), all featuring superstar Vijay. His forthcoming film with Shah Rukh Khan will mark his directorial debut in Bollywood.
During the promotion of Atlee’s last film Bigil, his fellow director Harish Shankar let the cat out of the bag confirming his next with SRK. “The news is coming out. I do not know how immediately it is going to happen but I am praying to all the Gods to make it happen that Atlee sir is going to direct King Khan. Being a huge fan of SRK, I am waiting for this combo so that I can also come for that function and see SRK. I am a huge fan of King Khan,” Shankar had accidentally had revealed. In reply, Atlee smiled which confirmed that he was indeed collaborating with SRK.
An official announcement is highly awaited.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.