Bhushan Kumar is undeniably a visionary. He knows the pulse of the audience and creates content keeping in mind their varied taste. Aside from ruling the Indian music landscape, Bhushan Kumar has also established T-Series as a moviemaking behemoth which has been producing one successful film after another.
Though T-Series has been making films for quite some time now, it has sort of re-written filmmaking rules in the past few years. The production house takes a keen interest in telling stories that are not artificial and connect to the masses.
After the success of Bharat (2019), Bhushan Kumar is coming up with yet another patriotic film titled Batla House. Starring John Abraham and Mrunal Thakur in principal roles, the movie has been creating the right noise ever since it was officially announced.
Batla House is inspired by the Operation Batla House, which took place in 2008 against Indian Mujahideen terrorists in Delhi. When asked what led him to bankroll the film, Bhushan Kumar reveals, “First and foremost, what made me associate with this project was Ritesh Shah’s script. He has done thorough research about this entire episode and has weaved all the facts together in an engaging narrative. The film starts with a bang and maintains the tempo throughout. Secondly, I strongly felt that it is an important story that needs to be told, especially because of what happened after the encounter. It is a very sensitive case with two sides to it and we have tried to cover everything in this film and have kept it real.”
Directed by Nikkhil Advani, Batla House is scheduled to hit the marquee on 15th August, 2019.
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.