After the success of conspiracy thriller, The Tashkent Files (2019), well-known filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has now started working on his next directorial offering, The Kashmir Files.
As the title aptly suggests, The Kashmir Files is based on biggest genocide in India’s history – ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits. Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and his producer wife Pallavi Joshi will unveil the underlying truth of the genocide that shook India a couple of decades back.
Along with his wife, Vivek will be interviewing first hand record of displaced Kashmiri Pandits who are now settled far away from their roots, in countries like the United States, The United Kingdom, Canada and Germany.
Talking about the first schedule of The Kashmir Files, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri said, “I believe that this is the first schedule of The Kashmir Files and the most difficult part of the filming process because it involves real people and real stories which Pallavi and I would capture on camera. Once I get this right, it is half battle won. The research for this project is an extensive one and I want to channelize my energy in digging as deep as possible to get the truth out. This incident should have gone down in the annals in History but where is it? How many people know about the magnitude of it?”
The filmmaker went on to add, “A film like The Kashmir Files has to bring out the truth or else it will be just another film that will come and go. I am making this film ‘by demand’- I have numerous well-wishers who have urged me to pick up this subject. I have had people calling me on phone and breaking down- telling me about how they have been a witness to their father being butchered into 50 pieces or mother being raped. I owe them the truth.”
More details on the project are awaited.
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.