Last seen in Yash Raj Films’ Thugs of Hindostan, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is gearing up for the release of his next film Laal Singh Chaddha, which is the official remake of the Hollywood classic Forrest Gump headlined by Tom Hanks.
Khan is leaving no stone unturned to promote the high-profile film and recently appeared on Karan Johar’s popular chat show Koffee With Karan 7. He was accompanied by his film’s leading lady Kareena Kapoor Khan. The duo spent a great time with host KJo and played a rapid-fire round.
During his appearance on the show, Khan also opened up about how he is concerned about Laal Singh Chaddha’s fate at the box office.
When host Karan Johar asked him, “Are you stressed?” Aamir did not mince words and said, “Of course, I am stressed. What kind of questions are you asking?” Kareena was surprised to hear this and said, “Are you? But you’re very confident?”
The superstar further said, “We are excited that we have made a good film, but if people don’t like it, we will be heartbroken.”
KJo further talked about how several recent Bollywood films have failed at the box office and South Indian films set the cash registers jingling, especially in the Hindi-speaking belts. He held Aamir Khan responsible for this, reminding him of his coming-of-age films such as Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, and Taare Zameen Par which led to a shift in the mindset of the audience.
Aamir said, “No, no you’re wrong, these are the films of the heartland, that have emotion and people connect with them. Taare Zameen Par–every house has a child–Rang De Basanti is an emotional film; it connects at the grassroots. I am not saying make action films, but make good films and take topics that are relevant for people. Not saying we’re doing anything wrong, and every filmmaker has the freedom, but when you pick something that the bulk of India isn’t interested in, you’re starting with something niche.”
Laal Singh Chaddha is set to release on August 11, 2022.
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.