By: Mohnish Singh
If you are a fan of multi-starrer films, there is an exciting piece of news waiting for you. Buzz has it that well-known filmmaker Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films is planning to create a horror universe that will feature Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Kriti Sanon, and Janhvi Kapoor on the ensemble cast. Yes, you read that absolutely right!
For the uninitiated, Vijan has already produced two horror-comedy films – Stree (2018) and Roohi (2021) – under his banner. He is now gearing up to bankroll yet another film in the same genre, titled Bhediya. It stars Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. We hear that there will be some sort of crossover between the three films.
A source in the know told a publication, “There are some major plans already in place and they are under execution. Stree has already released, Roohi is now arriving soon, Bhediya is going on floors and Munjha too will begin shoot soon. These are all the films belonging to the horror genre and a universe is being put together by the writers where there are some common connects explored.”
Meanwhile, Dinesh Vijan is awaiting the release of his next production offering Roohi, which stars Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao in lead roles. The horror-comedy film, directed by Hardik Mehta, is on the calendar for 11th March, 2021. The film was originally slated to release in June 2020, but the Coronavirus pandemic in India interrupted production and the makers had to put its release on hold.
Apart from Roohi, Maddock Films’ slate of upcoming movies also includes such films as Mimi, Shiddat, Bhediya, Hum Do Humare Do, Luka Chuppi Phir Se, and Arun Kheterpal biopic.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.