Shahid Kapoor is currently basking in the riotous success of his latest film Kabir Singh (2019) which has smashed a series of records ever since hitting the marquee on 21st June. Not only has the film turned out to be the biggest hit of the year so far, but it has also emerged as the biggest blockbuster of Kapoor’s 16-year-long career.
After the success of Kabir Singh, Shahid Kapoor’s fans were expecting him to start work on the biopic based on boxer Dingko Singh. The actor had bought the rights to the biopic more than a year ago. Filmmaker Raja Krishna Menon was set to helm it. However, if fresh reports are to be believed, Kapoor has delayed the production of the biopic due to the poor performance of Menon’s last directorial venture Chef (2017), an official remake of a Hollywood film with the same name.
A source close to the development told an Indian daily, “Menon had approached Shahid a while ago and Shahid had okayed it, buoyed by the success of the Akshay Kumar starrer Airlift (2016). But then, the director’s next preparation Chef could not get the audiences to the theatres and Shahid became a little wary of the project. While he has still not backed out of the film in principle, he has told the makers to wait till he decides on his further course of action after Kabir Singh. Shahid was also to produce the biopic”.
Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor seems on a rejection spree. After the humongous success of Kabir Singh, he has been offered Hindi remakes of two Telugu films – Jersey (2019) and Dear Comrade (2019). However, he turned down both the offers and is yet to sign his next. It will be really interesting to see what attracts Shahid Kapoor’s attention after Kabir Singh. His fans are waiting for the announcement of his next film with bated breath.
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.