After facing a little delay in its commencement, the Hindi remake of Telugu blockbuster Arjun Reddy (2017) is set to roll in October. Reportedly, the makers could not begin production on the scheduled date as Shahid Kapoor, who headlines the cast, was not ready with his look for the movie.
“Shahid needs to get a particular look before he starts filming. He has to grow out his hair and beard a lot more than what it is right now. It’s something he has not been seen like before, so it was a collective decision taken by the actor, director and producers to kick-start the romantic drama in October,” a source reveals.
As per the source, Shahid will begin the first schedule of the movie in October in Mumbai, which will be followed by a start-to-finish second schedule in Delhi.
“Shahid will start off with the Mumbai schedule, taking a break of two-three days intermittently to tend to Mira. Post that, he moves to Delhi and returns only after wrapping the film completely,” added the source.
The Arjun Reddy remake is being directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who also directed the original Telugu movie. Though no name has been announced for the female part, if insiders are to be believed, newcomer Tara Sutaria will play the female lead opposite Shahid in the movie.
Meanwhile, Shahid is gearing himself up for the promotions of his forthcoming film Batti Gul Meter Chalu. The social drama movie is directed by Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017) fame Shree Narayan Singh and also stars Shraddha Kapoor, Yami Gautam and Divyendu Sharma in important roles. It releases on 14th September.
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.