According to reports, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will begin filming Atlee Kumar’s next directorial later this month. The filmmaker has reportedly planned to shoot the first schedule of the untitled film in Mumbai.
Before the high-profile project goes before cameras, the team is reportedly planning to officially announce the film on August 15 with a special teaser. Buzz has it that popular South Indian actress Nayanthara has been roped in to play the female lead opposite Khan. The Raees (2017) actor plays a dual role in the film, as per reports.
A popular Indian daily reports that Atlee Kumar had earlier conducted a preliminary photoshoot with Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara, and both have completed their test look for the film.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan is presently busy with his much-awaited film Pathan. Produced by Aditya Chopra under his production house Yash Raj Films, the action thriller is being directed by Siddharth Anand. It also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in lead roles. Superstar Salman Khan will also appear in a special cameo in the film. Pathan is expected to arrive in theatres next year in 2022.
In addition to Pathan and Atlee Kumar’s next, Shah Rukh Khan is also doing Rajkumar Hirani’s next directorial. The film is expected to begin production in 2022. However, none of the above-mentioned projects has been officially announced by their respective producers.
Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in his home production Zero (2018). Directed by Aanand L Rai, the film received a tepid response from audiences and critics alike. Also featuring Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif in lead roles, Zero was declared a box office failure. Khan will be making his return to the silver screen with Pathan.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.