Varun Dhawan, who was last seen in Coolie No. 1 (2020), which had its direct-to-digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video, has some interesting projects lined up, one of them being Maddock Films’ next production Bhediya. The actor wrapped up the first schedule of the eagerly awaited horror comedy in April.
From what we hear, director Amar Kaushik has already completed over 90 per cent of the shoot at real locations in the midst of towering mountains and lush jungles of Arunachal Pradesh, and for the last leg of the shoot, the team is set to come together again on June 26 in Mumbai.
“Varun and the entire team of this Dinesh Vijan and Jio Studios’ production reunites in Mumbai for the final leg of the film. It is going to be a brief shoot before the team calls it’s a wrap,” a source close to the development informs an entertainment portal. The source goes on to add that the makers are committed to following all coronavirus safety protocols to ensure a safe and secure shooting environment on the sets.
Bhediya reunites Dhawan with Kriti Sanon after a long gap of 6 years. The duo last shared the screen space in Rohit Shetty’s romcom Dilwale, also starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Both actors are working with director Amar Kaushik for the first time.
According to reports, Bhediya is heavy on post-production, and the VFX team has been working on the already shot portions to get the special effects right. An international action and VFX team have come on board to work on the film, which is scheduled to hit screens on April 14, 2022.
After wrapping up Bhediya, Varun Dhawan is expected to move on to wrap up pending portions of his next Jug Jugg Jeeyo, co-starring Kiara Advani, Neetu Kapoor, Anil Kapoor. Directed by Raj Mehta, the social dramedy film has Karan Johar as the producer.
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.