Last seen in filmmaker Abhishek Chaubey’s dacoit drama Sonchiriya (2019), Sushant Singh Rajput is currently shooting for the next directorial venture of Dangal (2016) fame filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari, titled Chhichhore. Co-starring Shraddha Kapoor, the film is being produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.
The latest we hear that Sushant Singh Rajput is reportedly considering joining forces with filmmaker Tinu Suresh Desai whose acclaimed directorial Rustom (2016) won superstar Akshay Kumar his first National Film Award. If reports are to be believed, the filmmaker has offered the actor a thriller.
Spilling some more beans on the project, a source close to the development revealed to an entertainment portal, “Rustom director Tinu Suresh Desai has offered Sushant a big film. The filmmaker had been planning to mount the project for some time but has not been able to. It was then he was introduced to Sushant who he shared the idea with. It’s a novel concept so it immediately caught the actor’s fancy and he has given it a verbal nod as of now.”
The source went on to add, “It’s an espionage spy thriller. It will involve a huge budget and currently, both Tinu and Sushant are taking the film to several big banners that can come on board to finance the project. But Sushant is extremely kicked about the whole film since it involves a lot of action and also has a hint of nationalism in it.”
Well, after the debacle of Sonchiriya, Sushant Singh Rajput definitely needs a big blockbuster to get back in the reckoning once again. We hope that his upcoming projects, including this untitled film with Tinu Suresh Desai, turn out to be successful at the ticket window.
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.