Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor on Tuesday announced a new release date for his much-anticipated film Jersey. Also starring Mrunal Thakur in the lead role, the sports drama will enter cinemas on April 14, 2022.
Jersey is the official remake of the successful Tamil film of the same name. Filmmaker Gowtam Tinnanuri, who helmed the original, has directed the remake as well. It was earlier scheduled to release on December 31, 2021. However, the sudden outbreak of the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic forced the makers to put its release on hold.
The announcement of Jersey landing in theatres on April 14 was made minutes after Aamir Khan Productions announced that they have decided to postpone their keenly awaited period drama Laal Singh Chaddha from 14 April to 11 August.
Shahid Kapoor’s film will now lock horns with the hugely anticipated pan-India film KGF: Chapter 2, starring Yash, Sanjay Dutt, and Raveena Tandon in important roles. The first part of the period action film did exceptionally well in the Hindi market. There is a great buzz around its sequel, which is expected to set the cash registers jingling upon its release.
Announcing the new release date for Jersey, Kapoor wrote on Twitter, “So, so happy to announce that our beloved film Jersey will be releasing worldwide in theatres on the 14th of April 2022. See you in the theatres.”
Jersey revolves around a talented but failed cricketer (Kapoor), who decides to return to the field in his late 30s driven by the desire to represent the Indian cricket team and fulfill his son's wish for a jersey as a gift. The film is produced by well-known South Indian filmmakers Allu Aravind, Dil Raju, and Aman Gill.
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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.