A lot of hopes are pinned on Shahid Kapoor’s upcoming film Kabir Singh as the trailer has received good response from the audience. Kabir Singh is an official remake of Telugu blockbuster Arjun Reddy (2017) and hence people are expecting it to be as good as the original, if not better.
It was thought that after the release of Kabir Singh, Shahid Kapoor would start shooting for the much-talked-about biopic based on the life of Manipuri boxer Ngangom Dingko Singh. The biopic was set to mark Kapoor’s debut as a producer, while Raja Krishna Menon of Airlift (2016) and Chef (2017) fame was signed as the captain of the ship.
However, during his latest interaction with media, Shahid Kapoor spoke about the status of the biopic and it seems that the project is not happening anytime soon. The actor said that though he has the rights to the biopic, the script still needs to be developed.
“I haven’t decided what I am doing next. I have the rights to Dinko Singh, but it still needs to be developed. It is definitely not going to be my next film, but it will happen at some point,” said the Haider (2014) star.
Shahid, who was last seen in Batti Gul Meter Chalu, further said, “I don’t want to commit to any timeline yet. It needs to be written well, so it will take time. So I can’t give a definite time for when we will start with this film.”
Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor is going all out to promote Kabir Singh. Also starring Kiara Advani in the lead role, the movie is directed by well-known South Indian filmmaker Sandeep Vanga, who also called the shots for the original Telugu film Arjun Reddy. Produced by Cine1 Studios and T-Series Films, Kabir Singh is scheduled to roll into theatres on 21st June.
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.