It has been two years since moviegoers saw Shahid Kapoor on the silver screen. Kabir Singh, the biggest blockbuster of his two-decade-long career, hit the marquee on June 21, 2019. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the romantic drama was the official remake of the Telugu blockbuster Arjun Reddy (2017).
After the thunderous success of Kabir Singh, Kapoor went on to sign Jersey, which is again the official remake of yet another successful Telugu film of the same name. It starred Nani and Keerthy Suresh in lead roles.
The remake, which also features Mrunal Thakur and Kapoor’s father Pankaj Kapur in important roles, was set to arrive in theatres in 2020. However, the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic put all plans into total disarray and now the film is eyeing a release towards the end of the year or early next year.
In his latest interview with a leading Indian publication, Shahid Kapoor opened up about how the film Jersey made him realise a very important aspect of his career. Heaping praises on Nani’s performance, he revealed that the Tollywood actor made him cry 5-6 times while watching the film.
“I am 40 and I could relate myself to the film Jersey, which tells about late success. I am one of those who tasted success very late. Jersey is a family film and it is very close to my heart,” said the actor who has delivered several memorable performances throughout his career.
Kapoor also said that he realised the importance of a good story and decided to bring good stories to the audiences at all costs. Jersey has been directed by Gautham Tinnanuri, who also directed the Telugu film. He is making his debut as a director in Bollywood with the eagerly awaited project.
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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.