Just yesterday, we informed our readers about superstar Shah Rukh Khan joining forces with successful filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar for an out-and-out action entertainer. And today, we hear that the makers have already zeroed in on the actress who they want to romance the superstar in the forthcoming film.
According to reports, director Ali Abbas Zafar is keen to sign Katrina Kaif as the leading lady of the movie. The duo has previously worked together on such successful films as Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Bharat (2019) and is known as a winning combination.
Confirming the same, a source close to the development reveals to a publication, “Katrina and Ali are a winning combination. They have delivered blockbusters in the past and he is quite keen on working with her again. There will most likely be an official announcement on this project soon.”
The untitled film will be bankrolled by leading production house Yash Raj Films. The maiden collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Ali Abbas Zafar will celebrate 50 years of YRF in showbiz. According to reports, the film will hit the marquee in 2020. The makers are planning to mount it on a big scale.
If Katrina Kaif and Shah Rukh Khan collaborate for this yet-to-be-titled project, it will mark a hat-trick of their films after Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) and Zero (2019). More details are expected to arrive soon.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan is looking forward to the premiere of his maiden digital production Bard of Blood. The Netflix original marks the entry of Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment into the digital world. Starring Emraan Hashmi, Kirti Kulhari and Vineet Kumar Singh, Bard of Blood is scheduled to start streaming on 27th September.
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.