By: Mohnish Singh
Earlier scheduled to hit the marquee on 13th November, the upcoming comic-caper Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari will now enter theatres on 15th November, becoming one of the first major Bollywood films to release theatrically since Angrezi Medium (2020) in March, after which India went into a complete lockdown and cinemas across the country shut their doors for the public due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Talking to a publication, director Abhishek Sharma had earlier said that he had always been pushing for a theatrical release for the film. “I have never been okay with a digital release, my thoughts on this are well-known. For me, the cinema belongs to the theatre. I am really thankful to the production house for giving me that push for theatre, even in these times and Inshallah, we will be the first film to come out in theatres,” he said.
Sharma also stated that all the films which gave up a theatrical release and premiered directly on streaming media platforms during the lockdown have suffered. He wondered why the makers could not have waited longer.
“I am sorry to use the word, but those films are dying, it is death. I would not take names but there are so many films which are on OTT right now and I can see some coming as well, which are promising, I do not know why they could not wait. For me, cinema belongs to theatres. I am a theatre guy. I feel cinema belongs to movie theatres and not to OTT. I think that is the death of the cinema,” he said.
Produced by Zee Studios, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari stars Diljit Dosanjh, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Manoj Bajpayee in lead roles. It has been described as a light-hearted, Hrishikesh Mukherjee-style comedy. Do not forget to catch the film in cinemas closest to you.
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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.