Fans’ joy knew no bounds when leading production house, Yash Raj Films, announced the release date of Rani Mukerji’s next film, Mardaani 2. As the title aptly suggests, Mardaani 2 is a sequel to Mardaani (2014), which turned out to be a runaway success upon its release at the box-office.
In Mardaani, Rani Mukerji locked horns with debutant Tahir Raj Bhasin. In Mardaani 2, she will be seen pitted against yet another powerful villain. But the question is: who is he? Rani’s new look from the hotly anticipated movie has been unveiled, but there is no update on who is playing the lead antagonist in the film.
There are rumours in the industry that Chunky Panday’s nephew and Ananya Panday’s cousin, Ahaan Panday, is playing the lead villain in the film. “They had kept the bad guy in the first part of the Pradeep Sarkar-directed film under wraps. Tahir Raj Bhasin, therefore, had emerged as a big menacing villain who was the kingpin of a child trafficking racket in the film. So they want to do the same thing for this film too,” sources close to the development revealed to an Indian daily.
Produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films, Mardaani 2 marks the directorial debut of Gopi Puthran who wrote Mardaani. The movie is scheduled for its theatrical release on 13th December, 2019.
Rani Mukerji was last seen in Yash Raj Films’ smash hit Hichki (2018) wherein she played a teacher having Tourette syndrome. The film was a big box-office success not only in India but also in several other parts of the world. It racked up ₹ 250 crores worldwide before wrapping up its run.
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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.