A couple of days ago, we learnt that Salman Khan Films was coming up with a new movie, titled Bulbul Marriage Hall. The cast of the upcoming film included Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda, Ali Fazal and Daisy Shah.
However, if the latest reports are to be believed, Ali Fazal is no longer associated with the project. Fazal is getting married to girlfriend Richa Chadha during Summer 2020 and Bulbul Marriage Hall was set to go before cameras around the same time. Since the actor could not adjust his dates, he decided to quit the project.
A source in the know informs an entertainment portal, “Ali is gearing up for his Summer 2020 wedding with Richa Chadha and Bulbul Marriage Hall too was supposed to go on floors during the same time frame. He tried to adjust his dates, but eventually had to step out as the combination dates with the star-cast was not working out.”
As soon as Ali Fazal left the film, the makers of Bulbul Marriage Hall rushed to Sunil Grover. The comedian turned actor loved the character offered to him and immediately agreed to come onboard.
“Sunil shares a personal bond with Salman, and he stepped into the film without any ado. It is a performance-driven character and the makers were on a look-out for someone who has an exceptional comic-timing. Sunil was the perfect fit for the role,” the source adds in conclusion.
While real-life couple Pulkit and Kriti play the reel life couple on the film, Sunil Grover has been paired alongside Daisy Shah. Set in Lucknow, the movie revolves around a big fat Indian wedding.
Raaj Shaandilyaa, who made his directorial debut with Dream Girl (2019), has written the screenplay and dialogues for Bulbul Marriage Hall. To be directed by Rohit Nayyar, the movie is expected to hit screen towards the end of the year.
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.