After talks between Dharma Productions and Lyca Productions to get into a partnership did not come to fruition, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has reportedly sealed a deal with Dharma Productions. If reports are to be believed, Viacom18 Motion Pictures will distribute all forthcoming projects by Karan Johar’s production house.
Sharing some more details, a source in the know tells an online publication, “In what could well be called as one of the biggest acquisitions of recent times, Viacom18 has acquired the distribution rights of Dharma Productions’ entire slate of films.”
The source goes on to add, “This deal came about after the deal between Dharma and Lyca Productions fell through. Karan was still on the lookout for a mega production house with good reach to partner with, and Viacom was exactly that.”
Earlier, Dharma Productions had a close tie with Fox Star Studios and the two worked together on multiple successful projects. But their equation seems to have changed a lot after Fox Star Studios’ merger with Disney. Brahmastra, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, and Mouni Roy, will mark their final collaboration.
The source further adds, “Post the deal with Lyca turning sour, Viacom quite literally came in at the right time. In fact, some in the trade circles are stating that Viacom rescued Dharma Productions at just the right time.”
Dharma Productions, which is one of the leading production houses in India, has an interesting slate of upcoming films, featuring some of the biggest stars of Bollywood. Some of their highly awaited titles include Sooryavanshi, Shershaah, Brahmastra, Dostana 2, Jug Jugg Jeeyo, Mr Lele, and an untitled film with Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday.
The production house is also bankrolling a bilingual film titled Liger, which will mark the Bollywood debut of sensational Telugu star Vijay Deverakonda. The actioner also stars Ananya Panday.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.