Taapsee Pannu on Monday announced that her forthcoming film Looop Lapeta will release directly on Netflix. The official Hindi remake of the celebrated German cult classic film Run Lola Run, Looop Lapeta also features Tahir Raj Bhasin in an important role.
Pannu made the announcement regarding the film’s direct-to-digital release along with motion poster. “Time is ticking, and it is time to run,” read the caption.
Taapsee, who was most recently seen in Rashmi Rocket (2021), wrote with the video on Instagram, “Can’t wait for all of you to see the film! Looop Lapeta, a Sony Pictures Films India Feature and Ellipsis Entertainment Production, directed by Aakash Bhatia.”
Pratiksha Rao, Director, Films and Licensing, Netflix India said, "We are thrilled to be the home for Aakash Bhatia’s directorial feature debut, Looop Lapeta. At Netflix, we want to bring the most entertaining films to our members and Looop Lapeta is the perfect addition to our growing film slate. Aakash's distinctive treatment and style married with this layered story, an unconventional plot, and remarkable performances by an ensemble cast, makes this a truly unique film.”
Vivek Krishnani, Managing Director, Sony Pictures Films India said, “Looop Lapeta brings together an exciting combination of comedy and thriller. We at Sony Pictures Films India are constantly looking for movies that can break boundaries and provide fresh entertainment to audiences. It has been an amazing collaboration with the director Aakash Bhatia and Ellipsis Entertainment to deliver a different and unique Indian take on the original cult classic, Run Lola Run. At Sony Pictures Films India we lay emphasis on working with new directors and talent who want to tell stories that are brave, different, entertaining, and can cross over. The premiere of the film exclusively on Netflix will ensure that the film reaches a diverse global audience and will help us popularise Indian content across the world.”
Tanuj Garg and Atul Kasbekar, Managing Partners at Ellipsis Entertainment, said, “Looop Lapeta is yet another testimony to Ellipsis’ vision of consistently identifying and backing first-rate directorial and writing talent, and unconventional clutter-breaking content appealing to new-age audiences. When Aayush (Maheshwari) proposed the rights to us, we swung on to them immediately because we recognized the potential of crafting a quirky thriller-comedy that hasn’t been seen before in India. We are delighted to be launching Aakash (Bhatia) as director and for teaming up with Netflix and Sony Pictures Films India, which has enabled the creation of a truly masterful film, which we hope for the global audience to watch on loop.”
Aakash Bhatia, Director and Writer said, “There is no way to downplay the exhilaration of making the first film and Looop Lapeta has surpassed every bit of it. I’m extremely excited about the shape we have given it. It boldly jumps genres from comedy, thriller to romance and makes for a rollercoaster ride for audiences. My approach has been to tightly hold on to the emotional core of our story and characters, while consciously playing with style and form. A powerhouse ensemble cast and crew made this project what it is. The creative collaborators in Kasbekar and Tanuj made for great producers on this debut journey. I’m elated that Netflix is the platform that the world gets to watch Looop Lapeta on.”
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.