Rumours were doing the rounds of late that actress Sonakshi Sinha, who was most recently seen in Dharma Productions’ Kalank (2019), was set to star in an upcoming biopic based on the life of Paralympics Champion Deepa Malik. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, who have rights to the biopic secured with them, will bankroll it under the banner of Excel Entertainment.
However, when Sonakshi Sinha was asked about the same, she had something different to say. Talking about the film, the actress told an entertainment portal, “It's all speculation right now. I am not the kind of person who would talk about a film until I have signed on the dotted line. People can speculate what they want to but when my films have to be announced, the right people will do it.”
When asked if she would be interested in headlining a biopic at this point in her career, Sonakshi Sinha added, “I would be interested in doing a good story, something which challenges me and has a great role for me.”
Meanwhile, Sonakshi Sinha is currently looking forward to the release of her next film Khandaani Shafakhana. Helmed by debutante Shilpi Dasgupta, Khandaani Shafakhana also stars talented actors Varun Sharma and Annu Kapoor in important roles. The film is set to hit the silver screen on 26th July, 2019.
After the release of Khandaani Shafakhana, Sonakshi Sinha will next be seen in the upcoming multi-starrer Mission Mangal. Slated to hit the marquee on 15th August, the film also features Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Nithya Menen, Sharman Joshi and Kirti Kulhari on its ensemble cast.
The actress will cap off 2019 with the release of her much-awaited film Dabangg 3. Also starring superstar Salman Khan, who returns to play his iconic character of Chulbul Pandey for the third time, the cop-drama is scheduled to release on 20th December.
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.