Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar turned a year older and had a working birthday on Wednesday. The Good Newwz (2019) star is currently shooting for his upcoming espionage thriller Bellbottom in Scotland. On the occasion of his 53rd birthday, the makers gave a surprise to his fans by unveiling his new look from the much-awaited film.
Bell Bottom, which hit the shooting floor a couple of days ago, is set in the 1980s. Akshay Kumar, who is not new to playing retro characters, essays the character of a RAW agent in the movie, who goes on to rescue over 212 hostages in several hijack attacks.
Pooja Entertainment, the production house bankrolling the high-profile project, took to social media to reveal the new look on Kumar's birthday. In the image, the superstar is seen standing against an airplane wearing aviators and sporting a moustache. A sneak peek of his retro look from the sets in Glasgow was unveiled recently.
Vaani Kapoor, Akshay Kumar's co-star from the film, also shared the picture on social media and wrote: “Throwback to the 80s. Introducing the suave retro look of Akshay Kumar from Bell Bottom.”
As mentioned above, Bell Bottom is currently being shot in Scotland. It is the first film to shoot at an international location since production activities came to a grinding halt in March because of the lockdown. The team is shooting with a limited crew. The movie, which has been creating loads of buzz ever since being announced, also features Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta, Adil Hussain, and Huma Qureshi in important roles.
Produced by Pooja Entertainment in association with Emmay Entertainment, Bell Bottom is being helmed by filmmaker Ranjit Tewari, who last directed the Farhan Khan and Diana Penty-starrer Lucknow Central (2017).
Keep visiting this space for more updates from the world of entertainment.
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.