Ever since coming into existence on 14th February, 2018, ZEE5 has tried to offer cutting-edge digital content to its audience all over the world. Helmed by some of the best storytellers in the business, its shows have always intrigued and engaged viewers and its rising popularity among youngsters is a testimony to its premiere offerings.
Adding one more interesting story to its repertoire, ZEE5 has announced a scary, sexy and fun tech horror film to be toplined by Hina Khan, Kushal Tandon, Aditi Arya and Rishabh Sinha. Debatma Mandal will call the shots, while Krasnaya Corporation LLP and Horse Films LLP will bankroll the project. The movie is currently under production and will premiere in March, 2020, exclusively on ZEE5.
Talking about the film, Hina Khan said, “It was a nail-biting script and I knew I wanted to play the character from the word go. The script had me hooked from start to finish and in order for me to make full justice to the role, I will have to tune into a different mind space to get under the skin of this character. Looking forward to working with a fantastic cast as well as ZEE5 and while I am excited, I am also nervous.”
Looking forward to this project, Kushal Tandon said, “Tech horror is an extremely interesting genre and I am thankful that I got a chance to work with ZEE5 on this film. We have had extensive narration sessions and that has made me question on how technology can get the better of us! The script is well layered and every character has demons which will come alive as the film progresses.”
Meanwhile, Hina Khan can be currently seen in the Hungama Play original Damaged 2. The webseries stars the actress opposite Adhyayan Suman.
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.