With his home production Laal Singh Chaddha, Aamir Khan returned to theatres after a long period of four years. The film, which is the official remake of the cult Hollywood film Forrest Gump, also featured Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mona Singh, and Naga Chaitanya on the primary cast.
Laal Singh Chaddha released in cinemas on August 11, amid calls for a complete boycott. The makers’ worst fear came true when the film received a lukewarm response from critics and failed to draw audiences to theatres. Within days of its release, Laal Singh Chaddha was declared a massive flop.
The film’s failure is undoubtedly a major blow to Aamir Khan whose previous film, Thugs of Hindostan, was also a box office dud.
Before the release of Laal Singh Chaddha, Khan talked about the streaming rights of the film and how every film should have a six-month window between its theatrical and digital release. But the latest we hear is that the dismal performance of LSC at the box office has thrown cold water on the actor’s dream of releasing the film on any leading streaming platform after a period of six months.
A leading Indian daily reports that Khan was in talks with Netflix for the streaming rights of Laal Singh Chaddha. He had quoted a whopping amount of ₹150 crore ((USD 20 million approx) for the digital rights of the film. Not only that, the superstar had asked for a six-month period before the digital premiere as he wanted to release the film in China as well.
However, the streaming media giant had offered him ₹50 crore (USD 6 million approx) and also urged him to shorten the six-month window. Later, Khan brought down his asking price to ₹125 crore (USD 17 million approx).
But fresh reports suggest that Netflix has lost interest in buying the film looking at its poor run at the box office. Khan co-produced the film in association with Viacom18 Motion Pictures and if reports are to be believed, the team has decided to stream the film on the group’s digital platform.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.