Actor Sunny Deol on Monday said he was "stressed" before the release of Gadar 2 but the overwhelming response has made him emotional.
A sequel to Deol's 2001 hit Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, the Anil Sharma directorial has become a runaway hit at the domestic box office, amassing over £13 million in its opening weekend.
“I was very stressed, everyone is stressed about something in life because everyone works hard and they don't want to fail. In my life, I've always walked on the path of truth and that's the most difficult thing to do.
"But when you attain success, you do feel very good about it. When this film released, I realised I've God's blessings. I was crying and happy at the same time. I met my father that day, I told him that I'm very happy and going crazy," Deol told reporters at the success press conference of the film.
In the movie, Deol reprised his iconic role of Tara Singh alongside returning cast members -- Ameesha Patel as Sakeena and Utkarsh Sharma as Charanjeet.
The 65-year-old actor said Gadar 2 is a personal film.
"I'm connected with Tara Singh and I didn't want to leave any stone unturned for Tara Singh. I wanted to connect with the audience because I wanted them to connect with Tara Singh," Deol said.
Gadar 2 is set in 1971 and follows Tara Singh's journey to Pakistan to rescue his son, Charanjeet Singh from the Pakistani Army. The original was set during the Partition period.
The actor also talked about his father Dharmendra's concern about Gadar 2 being leaked online and said the magic of the big screen will never fade away.
"My father told me that the film is there on YouTube. I told him that piracy has been happening for many years, but nothing can match up to the magic of the silver screen," Deol said.
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.