By: Mohnish Singh
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one of those filmmakers who is up there on the wish list of every actor working in Bollywood. Be it an established star or a complete newcomer, everyone wants to work under his direction. While some actors have already fulfilled their dreams of working with him, Sonakshi Sinha seems next in line for a massive collaboration with the celebrated filmmaker.
Yes, you read that right! Rumours are doing the rounds in the tinsel town of Bollywood that Sonakshi Sinha is likely to bag the lead role in Bhansali’s next Heera Mandi. The filmmaker is presently busy wrapping up his next Gangubai Kathiawadi with Alia Bhatt, but his next project has already started creating buzz in showbiz.
Set in the late 1800s to mid-1950s, Heera Mandi will be mounted on a massive scale, just like all the previous outings of Bhansali. However, it will not be a film for theatres as the filmmaker has reportedly joined hands with streaming media giant Netflix for its release.
The project was initially planned as a film, but now it will be developed as a web-series with the first season spanning 8 episodes. Sonakshi Sinha, who was last seen in Dabangg 3 (2019), is set to headline the period-drama.
“Sonakshi is in initial talks for Heera Mandi and has verbally agreed to be a part of the show. However, she is yet to sign on the dotted line. It is a very powerful role with some shades of grey,” a source close to the development informs an online publication.
The source goes on to add that besides Sinha, the high-profile show will also feature Huma Qureshi, Nimrat Kaur, Sayani Gupta, and Manisha Koirala on its ensemble cast. If all goes well, Heera Mandi will begin production in April.
“Sanjay Leela Bhansali will be directing the first two and the last episode, while Vibhu Puri will be directing the remaining ones. Vibhu has begun the pre-production in full swing while casting for a lot more characters is underway. Major portions of the film will be shot on the sets,” concludes the source.
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.