It has been more than a year since Sidharth Malhotra has not graced the silver screen. He was last seen in renowned filmmaker Neeraj Pandey’s espionage thriller Aiyaary (2018), which hit the silver screen in February last year. However, now the handsome star has his films lined up for release at regular intervals.
Sidharth Malhotra is presently busy promoting his upcoming film Jabariya Jodi which pairs him opposite Parineeti Chopra. The comic-caper reunites both the actors after their 2014 hit Hasee Toh Phasee. Malhotra is also shooting for Dharma Productions’ next Shershaah, co-starring Kiara Advani.
The latest we hear that Sidharth Malhotra is in early negotiations for yet another interesting film. To be made under the banner of T-Series Films, the said project is a family drama. The actor has reportedly shown his interest in the project and may even sign it on the dotted line soon.
Spilling some beans, a source close to the development tells an entertainment portal, “Sidharth has been offered another big project. It’s a social drama about a family that will be bankrolled by T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar. It is designed very commercially but will give out a strong message about an issue that plagues our society at large. Sidharth has heard the script and liked it. He has also liked the way it has been designed like a massy entertainer. He wants to do more films in the space that will reach out to a bigger audience base.”
The source goes on to add, “The actor will sit for another round of narration with the director. It’s being helmed by an ad filmmaker who is also a first time director. Sid has loved the idea of the film and is mostly going to give it a green signal.”
Besides Jabariya Jodi and Shershaah, Sidharth Malhotra also headlines Milap Zaveri’s actioner Marjaavaan with Rakul Preet Singh and Tara Sutaria in lead roles.
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.