National Award winning Bollywood actress Vidya Balan is known for picking up strong characters that leave a lasting impression on viewers' minds. In the last few years, she has mostly taken up women-oriented movies, including Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh (2016), Begum Jaan (2017) and Tumhari Sulu. Continuing the trend, the talented actress has signed on to headline yet another female-driven movie.
Balan, who was last seen in the successful space odyssey film Mission Mangal (2019), has announced her next project. Titled Sherni, the movie will be directed by Amit Masukar for leading banners like T-Series and Abundantia Entertainment.
Balan took to Twitter and Instagram and announced the project. She wrote, “Thrilled to announce my next film SHERNI. (I) cannot wait to start shoot! Directed by AmitMasurkar, produced by Bhushan Kumar, Vikram Malhotra, Krishan Kumar & Amit Masurkar. Written by Aastha Tiku. Watch this space for more!”
While Vidya Balan did not reveal much about the rest of the star cast and the genre of the movie, she said that the film will be helmed by Amit Masurkar. Masukar is known for directing the award-winning film Newton (2017), which was India's official entry to the 90th Academy Awards. She shared the title of the film and asked the fans to wait for more details.
Currently, Vidya is waiting for the release of her film Shakuntala Devi. She will be seen playing the role of the noted mathematician in her biopic. The movie on the Human Computer also features Sanya Malhotra in the role of Balan’s daughter. The official release date of the film has been announced. It hits theatres on May 8, 2020.
Balan will also be seen in a short film, titled Natkhat. It is being helmed by Shaan Vyas. Apart from essaying the lead role, the actress is also co-producing it.
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.