Akshay Kumar is one of the most versatile actors in Hindi cinema. In the past few years, he has done movies in every possible genre. Be it romance, action, comedy or rom-com, the superstar has served every genre to the audience. At the moment, Akki has almost half a dozen films in his pocket, which makes him one of the busiest actors in the industry.
Today, Kumar added yet another new film to his list by announcing his latest project titled Bachchan Pandey. Well-known film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the first poster of the film on Twitter earlier today. If the first-look of Kumar in Bachchan Pandey is anything to go by, it seems he will play yet another patriotic character in the film.
“Akshay Kumar in and as Bachchan Pandey, the newest collaboration of Akshay and producer Sajid Nadiadwala. Directed by Farhad Samji... Christmas 2020 release,” wrote Taran Adarsh on his Twitter handle.
But before Bachchan Pandey hits the shooting floor, Akshay Kumar will be seen in at least five high-profile projects. His upcoming film Mission Mangal is set to hit the silver screen on 15th August. Housefull 4, the fourth instalment of the Housefull franchise, is scheduled to roll into cinemas on 26th October.
Dharma Productions’ much-talked-about film Good News comes out on 27th December. The movie reunites Kumar with Kareena Kapoor Khan after a decade. Rohit Shetty’s cop-drama Sooryavanshi will be Akshay Kumar’s first release in 2020, which is set to hit the marquee on 27th March. Sooryavanshi will be followed by horror-comedy Laxmmi Bomb on 5th June.
Talking to an Indian daily, Akshay Kumar recently said that he has started exploring different genres so that nobody gives him any tags. “I have learned that if I do different genres, I won’t be tagged. So I decided I have to do different kinds of films. I am thankful to people and the media for criticising me to that point and bringing out the best in me,” said the superstar.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.