ZEE5 on Monday dropped the trailer of their upcoming original film Aafat-E-Ishq. The film stars Neha Sharma in the lead role, alongside Namit Das, Deepak Dobriyal, Amit Sial, and Ila Arun. It is set to premiere on ZEE5 on 29th October.
The intriguing trailer of the film, which will not only make the viewers laugh out loud but also keep them on the edge of their seats, shows Neha Sharma in a never-seen-before avatar as Lallo, a young woman on a quest for true love. However, she finds herself as a prime suspect following a series of multiple deaths. Just like in the old pulp novel where the suitors of Laal Pari, a fabled cursed woman died as soon as they fell in love with her, Lallo is convinced that she too is cursed as all her suitors start dying in freak fatal accidents. What’s to be found out is - Will Lallo find her fairy tale true love or is she cursed to roam the realms of earth alone and loveless?
Produced by ZEE Studios and directed by Indrajit Nattoji, Aafat-E-Ishq is a dark dramedy with supernatural elements and a whodunnit twist. It is the official remake of Liza, the Fox-Fairy, a Hungarian film that was a huge success internationally and won numerous awards at various film festivals.
Talking about the film, director Indrajit Nattoji says, “Aafat-E-Ishq is my Indian heartland version of Liza, the Fox-Fairy. I can safely say that Aafat-E-Ishq is an adaptation and not a remake. A reboot with some new twists, eclectic original music, and quirky small-town Indian characters. I hope the film catches the audience’s imagination and succeeds in entertaining them, something we all need as we slowly emerge from a devastating pandemic.”
Neha Sharma shares, “It was acting 101 for me as my character Lallo is so different from anything I have portrayed before. Lallo is from a small town in the Indian heartland, so I had to work hard on getting the local dialect and Hindi diction right. I also had to go through a makeover as I will be seen in a completely de-glam role. However, it was one of the most satisfying characters to play as Lallo is so unique and one of a kind. It’s now time to bring forth this labour of love and I urge my fans to give all their love to Lallo on 29th October on ZEE5.”
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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.