Varun Dhawan, who was last seen in Coolie No. 1 (2020), has a few exciting projects in the pipeline. While he has already wrapped up Amar Kaushik’s horror-comedy Bhediya with Kriti Sanon, he is presently busy with Dharma Productions’ Jug Jugg Jeeyo co-starring Kiara Advani, Neetu Kapoor, and Anil Kapoor.
The latest we hear is that Dhawan is now gearing up to begin work on his much-awaited film Ekkis, which reunites him with acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan after the neo-noir action thriller film Badlapur (2015). The ambitious project is based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films. Ekkis will mark Dhawan’s third outing with Vijan after Badlapur and the upcoming film Bhediya.
A source in the know informs an entertainment portal that Ekkis is set to go before cameras in February 2022. “This is among the most ambitious projects of Varun’s career and the actor has been in prep more all through the last two years, learning more and more about the traits of an army officer. As Jug Jugg Jeeyo nears completion, Varun is excited to slip into the first biopic of his career,” says the source.
From late November, Dhawan is expected to begin acting workshops with Raghavan, which would include body language and diction training apart from learning different forms of war-based action.
Ekkis was initially set to begin production in October 2020. However, the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic threw wrenches into the works. “They did not want to compromise with the vision in any circumstances as a war hero like Arun Kheterpal deserves a fitting tribute. With vaccination drives in full swing and the on-ground scenario getting better by the day, the team of Ekkis is bullish about shooting from early 2022,” the source concludes.
In addition to Bhediya, Jug Jugg Jeeyo, and Ekkis, Varun Dhawan also headlines Sajid Nadiadwala’s Sanki and the Indian spin-off of the Russo Brothers global series, Citadel.
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.