One of the leading film production houses in the world, Yash Raj Films has confirmed the release date for their much-talked-about romantic comedy Bunty Aur Babli 2. As the title aptly suggests, the upcoming movie is a sequel to their 2005 hit Bunty Aur Babli.
While the original film starred Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji in lead roles, the sequel features Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Siddhant Chaturvedi and debutante Sharvari Wagh on the ensemble cast. Written and directed by Varun V. Sharma, Bunty Aur Babli 2 will arrive in theatres on 26th June 2020. The makers took to social media to announce the official release date of the film on Tuesday.
The original film had Abhishek Bachchan opposite Rani Mukerji. Their chemistry was liked by one and all in the movie. So, when the makers went ahead to announce a sequel to Bunty Aur Babli, many fans were curious to know the reason behind not having Bachchan onboard.
Talking about his absence in the sequel, Mukerji said, “The original Bunty Aur Babli got tremendous love and appreciation from audiences, and it is their love that has made YRF decide to make the sequel. Abhishek and I were both approached by YRF to reprise our roles as the originals in Bunty Aur Babli 2 but, unfortunately, things did not work out with him, and we will miss him dearly. As a team, we are so happy to welcome Saif. I have lovely memories of working with him, and I am really looking forward to creating something new and exciting with him in Bunty Aur Babli 2.”
Bunty Aur Babli 2 will mark the second film outing for Siddhant Chaturvedi who spring-boarded to overnight fame after delivering a powerful performance in Zoya Akhtar’s rap drama Gully Boy (2019) last year.
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.