Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu are coming up with something really exciting. Penguin Random House India on Thursday announced the acquisition of a series of picture books from the actor-couple. Tentatively titled Inni and Bobo, the series consists of three picture books. All three picture books will be published under Penguin's Puffin imprint and the first book of the series will be out next year.
A story about a little child finding friendship and the beauty of adopting dogs, the Inni and Bobo series would help young readers learn about empathy along with some other “imperative life lessons” and more. Soha and Kunal, who are parents to daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, said one of the things their three-year-old always looks forward to is listening to stories.
“One of Inaaya's favourite things to do is storytime - either she'll bring a book to one of us and ask us to read it to her whilst she looks at the pictures, or then as she says ‘from your mouth’ where she chooses the characters and the setting and we make up the story for her. Often the story is about her and an animal because she loves animals - all animals without discrimination, but perhaps being partial to dogs because of Masti. So, we started telling her stories about a little girl called Inni and her dog,” said the couple in a statement.
“She loved the stories and then asked to see the pictures and that's when we came up with the idea of writing a series of books about Inni - based on Inaaya - and Bobo,” they added.
While Soha made her writing debut in 2017 with her memoirs The Perils of Being Moderately Famous, the upcoming book will be Kunal's maiden title as an author. According to the publishers, the truly “endearing story” will touch the hearts of all -- children, their guardians, and animal lovers.
“I am absolutely thrilled that Soha and Kunal's beautiful picture books have found a home at Puffin. I hope these gorgeously illustrated picture books find a special place on every young reader's bookshelf. And we are also so very excited to welcome Kunal to the Penguin Random House family as a new author," said Arpita Nath, associate commissioning editor, Penguin Random House India.
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.