Vidya Balan, who is presently riding high on the success of her recently released film Sherni (2021), is set to reunite with producer Vikram Malhotra for a new project. The National Award-winning actress has signed on to star in director Suresh Triveni’s next directorial venture and joining her on the cast will be another National Award-winning actress Shefali Shah.
According to reports, Jalsa is the official title of the upcoming film. The makers locked the title as they thought it goes well with the plotline of the film. However, sources clarify that it has got nothing to do with legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan’s residence in Mumbai, which used to attract a huge crowd in pre-coronavirus times.
Though nothing concrete is known about the storyline of the forthcoming film, some sources reveal that Balan and Shah will play central characters. The film is a drama thriller about social class differences.
Director Triveni has written the script along with a team of other writers. The team is looking at beginning production in Mumbai in September. The director has reportedly already begun pre-production and is waiting for Shah’s dates before finalising the filming schedule.
Meanwhile, Shah is currently keeping busy with her two upcoming projects. The actress next stars in the much-awaited medical thriller series Human, which is set to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar. The show, which went before cameras in January, revolves around the underbelly of human drug testing and the world of medical scams. Kirti Kulhari also plays the lead character in it.
Shah has also started filming her next film Darlings alongside Alia Bhatt and Vijay Varma. It is a joint venture between Bhatt’s newly launched Eternal Sunshine Productions and Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment.
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.