2019 has been an extremely special year for actress Taapsee Pannu. She toplined three Bollywood movies this year – Badla, Mission Mangal and the recently released biographical drama Saand Ki Aankh – and all of them struck gold at the box-office, bringing a broad smile on the faces of investors. Talking about her forthcoming projects, she has Thappad, Rashmi Rocket and an untitled supernatural thriller with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in her pocket.
The latest we hear that the talented actress has added yet another exciting project on her resume. Buzz doing the rounds has it that Taapsee Pannu has been signed on to headline a big-ticket movie which will be produced by ace filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali under Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions.
Titled Sia Jia, the upcoming film will feature the actress in a double role. Besides Bhansali, Shabina Khan will also be attached to the project as a co-producer. Though the makers are yet to announce the film officially, we hear that they are planning to take it to the shooting floor next year. If this news is indeed true, it will be the first time when Taapsee will essay a double role in any film.
Earlier, there were reports that Sanjay Leela Bhansali had signed Taapsee Pannu for one of his ambitious projects based on the life of poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi opposite Abhishek Bachchan. However, the actress had then rubbished the reports saying that she was not even approached for the Sahir Ludhianvi biopic. But doing a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film was in her destiny, it seems. Taapsee is indeed going places. Isn’t she?
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.