Bollywood’s fascination for remaking Hollywood and South Indian movie is not new. The only thing that seems to have changed over the years is that earlier several filmmakers used to remake hit films without buying rights, but now the trend of buying rights before remaking has caught up.
A couple of months ago, news surfaced that some producers were planning to remake the 2013 American musical comedy-drama Begin Again in Hindi. Directed by John Carney, the movie had a bunch of actors on its cast including Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, James Corden, Yasiin Bey, CeeLo Green and Catherine Keener.
Begin Again was a huge hit upon its release. The story has great potential for a Hindi remake. According to some reports, ever since Bollywood stars Sidharth Malhotra and Aditya Roy Kapur got to know about the Hindi remake of the film, both are vying for the same role in the project.
They have, reportedly, repeatedly ringed the makers of the remake and expressed their interest in the project. But since the casting process for the film is yet to begin, the makers will take the final call later. Well, it will be interesting to see whether the makers choose Sidharth Malhotra or Aditya Roy Kapur for the remake or they sign some other actor.
Meanwhile, Sidharth Malhotra is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Jabariya Jodi. Co-starring Parineeti Chopra, the movie is set to enter theatres on 2nd August. He is also shooting for Dharma Productions’ Shershah, which is a biopic on Kargil war martyr, Vikram Batra.
Aditya Roy Kapur, on the other hand, is presently shooting for two films – Malang and Sadak 2. Malang, also starring Disha Patani, Anil Kapoor and Kunal Khemu, reunites the actor with filmmaker Mohit Suri after their blockbuster musical hit Aashiqui 2 in 2013. Sadak 2 is a sequel to Mahesh Bhatt’s Sadak (1991). It also stars Alia Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles.
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.