Buzz has it that action star Sunny Deol is joining hands with award-winning filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi for an untitled film. The duo, who has given us mega blockbusters like Ghayal (1990), Damini (1993) and Ghatak (1996), will be teaming up together after a massive gap of 22 years.
According to sources, the untitled film will be bankrolled by ace filmmaker Aanand L Rai under his production banner, Colour Yellow. Plot details are being kept secret, but insiders reveal that it might be a period film.
A film critic writes in his Twitter post, “Breaking News!! After delivering three blockbusters #Ghayal, #Damini and #Ghatak, Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi are gearing up to collaborate once again after 22 years long hiatus. Sunny will star in Santoshi's next directorial under the banner of Aanand L Rai.”
As per sources, Sunny Deol met Santoshi at his office to inquire about any film they could work on. The director has, reportedly, narrated a subject to him, but things have not been signed on the dotted line as yet.
An official announcement is awaited to confirm the news.
Meanwhile, Sunny Deol is gearing up for the release of his next film Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, which also stars his father, Dharmendra, and younger brother, Bobby Deol, along with Kriti Kharbanda. The trailer of the film is expected to be attached with the prints of Salman Khan’s Race 3.
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.