By: Mohnish Singh
Though the makers are yet to make an official announcement, industry insiders confirm that Shah Rukh Khan has given his primary nod to headline successful Tamil filmmaker Atlee Kumar’s next directorial venture.
If fresh reports are to be believed, SRK will commence work on the high-profile project by the end of the year. Initially, the plan was to take the film before cameras in the month of August, but now sources claim that it might start rolling only by December.
Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in his home production Zero (2018), co-starring Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. Made on a lavish budget, the film failed to click with the audience and incurred heavy losses to every stakeholder involved.
After the unexpected debacle of Zero, SRK did not sign any film for a period of two years. In 2020, he finally faced the camera again for Yash Raj Films’ yet-to-be-announced mega-budgeted actioner Pathan.
Directed by Siddharth Anand of War (2019) fame, Pathan also features Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in lead roles. The film will also have an extended cameo by superstar Salman Khan who will appear in his massively popular character Tiger from the films Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017). It is to be noted that YRF is also bankrolling the third installment of the Tiger franchise.
After wrapping up Pathan, Shah Rukh Khan may move on to commence Atlee Kumar’s untitled film. Meanwhile, the director is currently busy with the pre-production work. While there is no update on who will play the female lead opposite the superstar, buzz also has it that he is most likely playing a dual role in the upcoming project. More details are expected to arrive soon.
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.