A couple of days ago, we informed our readers that Sonakshi Sinha and Riteish Deshmukh were set to headline an upcoming horror-comedy film, produced by Ronnie Screwvala under his banner, RSVP Movies.
The latest update on the forthcoming project is that the makers have not only locked its official title, but they have also roped in yet another talented actor to play a prominent role in it.
According to reports, the horror-comedy film has been titled Kakuda and Saqib Saleem is the latest actor to join Sonakshi Sinha and Riteish Deshmukh on the cast. Saleem has been romantically paired opposite Sinha who plays the role of a ghost hunter in the film.
Marathi filmmaker Aditya Sarpotdar, who has previously directed Deshmukh in the blockbuster Marathi film Mauli (2018), has been tapped to direct Kakuda. The team is set to begin the first schedule next week in Rajasthan. They are looking at wrapping up the entire shoot in a 40-day start-to-finish schedule. Nothing is known about the plotline of the film, but a digital publication reports that it is inspired from a real-life incident.
Meanwhile, Sonakshi Sinha is looking forward to the release of her war drama Bhuj: The Pride of India. Directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya, the film also stars Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles. It is slated for a direct-to-digital premiere on August 13 on Disney+Hotstar.
The actress is also gearing up to make her digital debut with Reema Kagti’s streaming show Fallen, set at Amazon Prime Video. Riteish Deshmukh, on the other hand, will finish his Netflix film with director Shashank Ghosh before joining the sets of Kakuda. More details on the project are expected to arrive soon.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.