Shahid Kapoor, who was last seen in the hugely successful period film, Padmaavat (2018), is teaming up with well-known filmmaker Raja Krishna Menon for the first time for a sports-based film. We have learnt from sources that the movie will start rolling from the month of December.
Shahid, who is known for getting into the skin of his characters, will be training intensively for a period of three months under a professional boxer as part of the preparation for his role in the movie.
“Shahid will begin the prep for Raja’s film simultaneously with the prep for his other film, the Hindi remake of Arjun Reddy (2017) helmed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Both films require him to look lean and train in action. Raja’s team is currently on the lookout for a professional boxer who will train Shahid for the part. They are also looking for an actress to play his leading lady,” a source reveals.
Director Raja Krishna Menon confirms the same, saying that the training will bring authenticity to Shahid’s character on-screen. “Yes, Shahid will be training for at least three months to portray the role of a boxer authentically on screen. He is a trained dancer and is nimble on his feet which will come in handy for this film,” he said.
Shahid is currently shooting for his upcoming film, Batti Gul Meter Chalu. After wrapping up the Shree Narayan Singh directorial, the Haider (2014) actor will start preparations for the Arjun Reddy remake.
“After the Batti Gul Meter Chalu dates got postponed, the schedules of his other films got pushed around too but Shahid is making up for it by working extra hours. Once back from the Uttarakhand schedule in Tehri and Dehradun of Batti (Gul Meter Chalu) in mid-June, he starts prepping for Arjun Reddy that goes on the floors soon after,” adds the source.
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.