According to reports, filmmaker Siddharth Roy Kapur has purchased the rights to make a biopic on Raja Ram Tiwari, a man who reunited over 14 lakh people who were lost during Kumbh and Megh Melas in Allahabad.
Popularly known as Bhule Bhatke Baba, Tiwari ran a lost-and-found camp on the banks of the Sangam and helped lakhs of people for nearly 71 years, before breathing his last at the age of 88 on August 20, 2016.
Titled Bhule Bhatke Tiwari, the biopic will go into scripting very soon. Spilling some more beans on the project, a source close to the development reveals to a leading tabloid, “Though based on a true story, the writers will fictionalise a few incidents, giving the screenplay a dramatic touch and a cinematic vision to make the story interesting for the audience.”
Siddharth Roy Kapur has bought the rights to make a film on the Good Samaritan from his son Umesh who has continued his late father’s legacy. “It was Umesh who shared his father’s story with Sid and his team of writers and it instantly captured their imagination. The film goes on floors in the second half of 2019 and noticeable names from the film industry will form a part of the ensemble cast,” adds the source.
Aside from Bhule Bhatke Tiwari, Siddharth Roy Kapur is also bankrolling biopics on Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma and motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary.
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.