Who will be the next James Bond after Daniel Craig, is the question that is probably on everybody’s mind. A number of names have cropped up over the months but the makers are yet to sign anyone who steps into the shoes of the iconic character. From established actors like Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender to rising stars like Regé-Jean Page and Aidan Turner, several names have been doing the rounds to play the mysterious spy.
Everyone has their opinion on who should take the baton from Craig. Even the famous director duo Joe and Anthony Russo have shared their opinion on who should play James Bond now with a solid choice.
It is no secret that the Russo Brothers have worked with some of the leading stars of Hollywood. His latest directorial The Gray Man has shattered a series of records ever since landing on Netflix on July 22. The film features a galaxy of stars on the cast, including Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling, Dhanush, and Regé-Jean Page. Since Page’s name is constantly mentioned in the race, Joe Russo also picked him as a possible replacement for Daniel Craig as 007.
“He's fantastic. I mean, he has more charisma in his pinky than most people do in their entire body. So, you know, we would watch him do anything, I mean we would watch him read the phonebook! (sic)” Joe Russo was quoted as saying. Anthony Russo added, “(He's a) very savvy performer and [has] so much charm (sic).”
Rege shot to overnight fame after playing the Duke of Hastings on Netflix's successful period drama Bridgerton. The actor previously said that he was "flattered" to be linked with the Bond role. “Ah, the B word. I think if you are British and do anything of note, that other people take notice of, then people will start talking about that. That's fairly normal and I'm flattered to be in the category of Brits that people have noticed (sic),” Rege was quoted as saying.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.