The makers at Sunny Sounds Private Limited, Intercut Entertainment and Pen India Limited have shifted their hotly anticipated film Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se to 31st August, 2018.
Starring Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol in lead roles, the comic caper is the third instalment of the hit Hindi film franchise, Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011). The film was earlier scheduled to hit the silver screen on 15th August. But now, it will make its entry into cinemas on 31st August.
The decision to defer YPD Phir Se has been taken to avoid the box-office battle with Akshay Kumar’s Gold and John Abraham’s Satyamev Jayate, which are also poised for a theatrical release on Indian Independence Day.
In an official statement, Sunny Deol said, “Since Aug 15th has two patriotic films Gold and Satyamev Jayate, which are topical for the day, and on 24th, we have our family friend Anil Sharma’s son being launched who has our blessings, our film is a wholesome family entertainer, hence we have decided to release our film YPD Phir Se two weeks later on 31st August 2018.”
In a bid to avoid the clash with Gold and Satyamev Jayate, Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se will now lock horns with Shahid Kapoor’s much-awaited film Batti Gul Meter Chalu, which also releases on 31st August.
Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se is helmed by Navaniat Singh.
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.