The countdown for the much-anticipated House of the Dragon, a prequel to the globally popular series Game of Thrones, has officially begun. Ahead of the grand premieres on August 21 on HBO and HBO Max, the makers have been revealing some interesting details to intensify the buzz around the show.
The show stars Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, and Emma D’Arcy in principal roles. Recently, we were introduced to an Iron Throne, the most desirable yet uncomfortable-looking seat in Westeros. And now, the makers have released a seemingly wholesome scene between childhood friends Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower.
House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. The prequel will chronicle the beginning of the end of House Targaryen, the events leading up to and covering the Targaryen war of succession, known as the Dance of the Dragons. Though there is no official confirmation, the prequel is said to be based on portions of George R. R. Martin’s 2018 novel Fire & Blood.
Recently, the writers of the show spoke to a publication about how the female characters will be handled in the prequel. When Game of Thrones first came out, there was a lot of discussion about how the show portrayed sexual violence in the first season. There were countless such scenes throughout the series.
The writer and executive producer Sara Hess told the publication, “I would like to clarify that we do not depict sexual violence in the show. We handle one instance off-screen and instead show the aftermath and impact on the victim and the mother of the perpetrator. I think what our show does, and what I am proud of, is that we choose to focus on the violence against women that is inherent in a patriarchal system.”
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
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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.