After collaborating on the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Bhoothnath Returns in 2014, T-Series and BR Studios have joined hands once again to produce a series of films under the banners.
BR Studios, spearheaded by Renu Chopra and her sons Juno and Abhay Chopra, has been trying to recover lost ground of late. The success of such films as Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) and Ittefaq (2017) helped it catch audiences’ eyeballs once again. And the new collaboration with T-Series will boost its confidence further.
Though there has been no official announcement on the project both the production houses will kick-start first, there have been rumours that one of the films will be helmed by Mudassar Aziz of Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi (2018) fame.
There is another film that T-Series and BR Studios will produce together. Details of the project are being kept under the wraps, but insiders reveal that work on the script in going on in full swing. It will be on the lines of Bareilly Ki Barfi.
We also hear that the makers have decided to take the Bhoothnath franchise forward by launching the third instalment of the successful series. The project will be announced later though.
Commenting on this association with BR Studios, Bhushan Kumar of T-Series says, “We had a great synergy with BR Studios when we worked on Bhoothnath Returns a few years ago. Creatively, it was a very satisfying collaboration to work in this film starring Amitji. Even the music of Bhoothnath Returns proved to be a chartbuster. We are excited to take this creative partnership with BR Studios further with our next lot of films.”
Talking about the collaboration, Juno Chopra of BR Studios says, “The revival of our banner has shaped up well with Bareilly Ki Barfi and Ittefaq. Taking the legacy forward, we are now looking at bringing more such interesting stories to the audience in the future. With Bhushanji and T-Series onboard this journey, we are looking forward to a fruitful association for the Bhoothnath franchise and the other films.”
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.