That content is the undisputed king has been proved time and again. Gone are the days when a superstar’s stardom would solely decide the fate of a film. Today, the audience wants great content and compelling performances to shell out money on tickets. With more and more filmmakers shifting focus on creating content-driven cinema, Bollywood has benefitted a lot in the past 2-3 years and we hope the movement keeps gathering momentum in times to come as well.
When it comes to creating universal content which caters to all the segment of the audience, Yash Raj Films has always been a leading name to reckon with in the industry. We have learnt that YRF head honcho Aditya Chopra has taken the decision to review his upcoming production venture Shamshera, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles, in order to ensure that it is captivating enough to attract audiences. The decision has been taken after the underwhelming performance of Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya (2019).
We hear that Chopra has no doubt about the content of Shamshera, but he wants to ensure its commercial viability as well. “Do audiences want to see dacoit dramas of the hardcore commercial kind like Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Kachche Dhaage (1999) and Heera (1973), or the more raw and real kind like Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Bandit Queen (1994), and Sonchiriya? Shamshera falls between the two extremes. And although Adi has full faith in his director Karan Malhotra and actor Ranbir Kapoor, there is a constant pressure to ensure box office success. After Sonchiriya, Shamshera is being re-examined,” a source close to the development reveals to an Indian daily.
According to reports, Shamshera may miss its 2020 release because Ranbir Kapoor’s Brahmastra is taking a lot of time in production. The actor will start shooting for Shamshera only after wrapping up Brahmastra.
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.