Varun Dhawan is certainly not going through the best phase of his career. In 2019, he delivered his career’s first flop in the form of Kalank. The actor and his fans had a lot of expectations from the much-publicised dance flick Street Dancer 3D (2020). However, despite being a franchise film and great pre-release buzz, the movie failed to perform well at the box-office.
Now, the news is coming in that Dhawan has chosen a comic-caper over an action entertainer. According to reports, the actor is set to team up with writer-director Raaj Shaandilyaa who shot to fame after his directorial debut Dream Girl (2019) with Ayushmann Khurrana turned out to be one of the most-successful films of the last year.
“He is taking comedy so seriously that he wants to do a film on a stand-up comedian. He has been an avid watcher of Kapil Sharma’s show and has also watched several stand-up acts after his first narration from Dream Girl director Raaj Shandilya that happened a few months ago. He has had a second narration as well and has greenlighted the project,” informs a trade source.
Reportedly, Dhawan had two projects to choose from. First was an action film to be produced by filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by Anurag Singh. The second was Shaandilyaa’s comic-caper.
Varun Dhawan has just wrapped up his next film Coolie No. 1. Also starring Sara Ali Khan in the lead role, the movie is an official remake of the 1995 comic-caper of the same name. His father David Dhawan is the helmer of the much-awaited laugh riot scheduled to release on 1st May, 2020. The actor will soon begin work on Shashank Khaitan’s next directorial Mr. Lele.
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.