A couple of weeks ago, it was revealed that Jacqueline Fernandez will be seen in Sudeep starrer Vikrant Rona. The actress has already shot for the film, and on Saturday (31), her first look from the film the movie was unveiled.
Jacqueline took to Twitter to share the first look poster with her fans and introduced her character, Gadang Rakkamma. She tweeted, “'What Rakkamma doesn't know, doesn't exist' Super happy to introduce my character #GadangRakkamma from #VikrantRona #JacquelineVikrantRonaLook #JacquelineAsRakkamma @KicchaSudeep @JackManjunath @anupsbhandari @shaliniartss @Alankar_Pandian @VikrantRona @GadangRakkamma.”
Well, we must say that Jacqueline is looking stunning in the poster. Vikrant Rona will mark Jacqueline’s Kannada debut. While the movie is shot in Kannada, it will be dubbed and released in 14 languages with the 3D version.
Reportedly, Jacqueline has an extended cameo in Vikrant Rona and she will also be seen in a special song in the film.
While announcing her casting in the film, Jacqueline had earlier tweeted, “#BigAnnouncement Yes, I will be playing a special role in @VikrantRona can’t wait to unveil my look in the film. Thank you @shaliniartss and @jackmanjunath for the amazing hospitality. Working with @KicchaSudeep is an experience I will cherish for a long long time. @anupsbhandari VR will make India proud on a global level. Love to the entire team. #VikrantRona.”
Directed by Anup Bhandari, Vikrant Rona is a fantasy adventure thriller.
Apart from Vikrant Rona, Jacqueline will be seen in films like Bhoot Police, Attack, Cirkus, Bachchan Pandey, and Ram Setu. Bhoot Police is slated to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on 17th September 2021.
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.