We have seen several successful director-actor duos in Bollywood. But if one has to name that one director-actor duo who boasts of hundred percent success ratio, it has to be Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan.
Sooraj and Salman first collaborated on Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), which also marked the directorial debut of the former. The film went on to become an all-time blockbuster and receives great response even today on television premieres.
After the earth-shattering success of Maine Pyar Kiya, Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan came together for Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994). Also starring Madhuri Dixit in the lead roles, the movie is regarded as one of the most commercially successful films of Indian cinema.
The duo joined hands once again in 1999 for the multi-starrer family drama Hum Saath Saath Hain, which too became an instant box-office hit, earning massively across all territories. They last worked together on Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, a box-office blockbuster released in 2015.
Now reports are doing the rounds in media circle that Sooraj Barjatya’s son Devansh Barjatya is set to make his directorial debut with a film featuring Kartik Aaryan in the lead role. However, sources very close to Rajshri Productions say that there is no truth in reports. A source mentions that Devansh will make his debut with a film featuring none other than Salman Khan.
“Unless Devansh is planning a two-hero film, there is no Kartik in his film. Devansh has made it very clear to his entire family that he will make his first film with Salman Khan only. It is a family tradition. Sooraj started his directorial career with Salman and Maine Pyar Kiya. He then went on to make most of his films starring Salman. Devansh has grown up watching his father shooting with Salman. It’s like when Rahul Dev Burman turned music director, he vowed to record his first song with Lata Mangeshkar only, as he had grown up watching his father Sachin Dev Burman working with Lataji,” says the source.
An official announcement is awaited.
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.