Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham in principal roles, Pathan is one of the most-anticipated films of 2022, which has been creating great buzz even before commencing production in 2020. A major portion of the film has been shot, but some important sequences are yet to be filmed.
As per reports, the team is set to resume work on the high-profile film in Mumbai in the last week of February. After filming in the city for almost a week, SRK, Padukone, and Abraham will jet off to Spain to film an adrenaline-pumping schedule of Pathan. SRK and Padukone, who have reunited after a long gap of eight years, will shoot high-octane action sequences and also an elaborate song.
Sharing more details, a trade source tells the publication, “It is game time for team Pathan as Shah Rukh Khan begins shooting of the film at YRF Studios with his co-stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. It will be an intense week-long schedule for the team post which SRK, Deepika, and John are expected to head to Spain for about 17 days.”
The source goes on to add, “Director Siddharth Anand has grand plans for Pathan and he was always clear to do a strategic outdoor schedule like Spain to add to the visual delight of the film for audiences to enjoy. Siddharth Anand always sets a new benchmark with his films and this time too he is looking to do just that. The Spain schedule is key to add grandness to the film.”
“Aditya Chopra is not leaving any stone unturned to create a massive big-screen visual experience with Pathan. Adi and Siddharth Anand are a great team as proven by their earlier outings including the record-shattering War (2019). They understand with every film that they make together, they have to give audiences something that they have never seen before. Pathan will do just that. The film has been designed to deliver maximum visual impact and entertainment. So, every production move is being carefully planned to ensure that Pathan is that ultimate action thriller that sets the box office on fire,” concludes the source.
Though the makers are yet to announce the official release date for Pathan, the action thriller is set to enter cinemas in 2022.
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.