According to reports, seasoned Bollywood actress Tabu will play the role of Saif Ali Khan’s ex-girlfriend in the forthcoming Hindi film Jawaani Jaaneman. Earlier, we had heard that Kareena Kapoor Khan was set to reprise the same role. But if latest reports are to be believed, the role has now fallen into Tabu’s lap.
Reportedly, Kareena did not take up the role as she had already played a similar character in Saif Ali Khan’s Happy Ending (2014). “Bebo had played a similar role in the Saif Ali Khan film Happy Ending. But the makers and Saif both went home with a sad ending, as the film flopped at the turnstiles. So even though Saif did suggest that she should do a cameo in the film, Kareena decided to not do the role and preferred to stay with her husband at the shoot watching him at work. Stepping into her shoes on Monday was Tabu, who shot for two scenes. She is slated to shoot a few more before she returns to India,” a source close to the development reveals.
Tabu was most recently seen in T-Series Films’ comic-caper De De Pyaar De (2019), which turned out to be a huge money-spinner at the box-office. She also featured in Salman Khan’s Bharat (2019) in a blink-and-you-miss-it role. Buzz has it that she might reprise her role from De De Pyaar De in the Telugu remake of the film. The Telugu remake stars Venkatesh in the lead role. The actress is already doing an untitled Telugu film with filmmaker Sukumar.
Jawaani Jaaneman is a family comedy. It is being directed by Nitin Kakkar. The film will mark the silver screen debut of former model-turned-actress Pooja Bedi’s daughter Alaia Furniturewalla.
Jawaani Jaaneman is set to release on 29th November, 2019.
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.