By: Mohnish Singh
In 2019, Varun Dhawan confirmed that he was set to collaborate with celebrated filmmaker Sriram Raghavan on a film based on the life of the Indian Army officer Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal who was martyred during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
Taking to Twitter, the actor had written, “Happy birthday to Arun Khetarpal. It was always my dream to play a soldier of INDIA. Sriram Raghavan can’t wait to bring on screen the spectacular tale of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. Produced by Dinesh Vijan. Hope to make you proud Mukesh Khetarpal and Poona Horse.”
But before the team could roll the camera on the high-profile project, the Coronavirus pandemic hit the entire humanity hard and the makers had to put the project on hold. Once the industry resumed production after lockdown, Varun Dhawan moved on to complete his other projects.
The actor is currently busy shooting for Amar Kaushik's horror-comedy Bhediya. And the latest we hear that he will start work on the Arun Khetarpal biopic, which has been titled Ekkis, towards the end of the third quarter of 2021.
Confirming the same, producer Dinesh Vijan told an entertainment portal that Ekkis requires Varun Dhawan to undergo rigorous training and the film should start at the end of the third quarter of 2021.
“Ekkis is the most ambitious project attempted by Maddock to date. It requires rigorous prep that has already begun. Varun himself will commence prep for two and a half months once he is done with Bhediya and other commitments. Sriram Raghavan is the captain of this grand ship, there is a lot he wants to achieve here. Ekkis should go on floors till the end of the third quarter, and that’s all I can divulge for now.”
Ekkis will reunite Varun Dhawan, Sriram Raghavan and Dinesh Vijan after their 2015 hit Badlapur.
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.