Alia Bhatt was looking forward to working with ace filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, one of her most favourite directors, in Inshallah. She had even shot for a few days for the film. However, as ill-luck would have it, superstar Salman Khan exited the project at the last moment, leaving the entire team in the lurch.
As things stand today, Inshallah has been shelved. The decision of stalling the project negatively impacted Alia Bhatt as she had allotted a large chunk of her dates to the film, but the actress is not complaining. She has deliberately decided to keep quiet on the matter.
“When Salman was out of Inshallah, Alia did not know what hit her. She has given a large chunk of her dates to the film, but she is not complaining. She does not want to compromise the project by saying anything,” a source told a publication.
Even Sanjay Leela Bhansali is eager to work with Bhatt as he was surprised with her performance in the portion the duo had shot for, for Inshallah. “He did a small stint of shooting with Alia, and he was blown away by what she brought to the film. He does not want to let go of the opportunity to direct Alia,” the source added.
Sharing her excitement of collaborating with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Alia Bhatt had previously said, “The three directors on my wish list when I became an actress were Karan Johar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and S.S. Rajamouli. One of them launched me as a heroine, and I am working with the other two.”
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt is looking forward to her other films including Brahmastra, RRR and Sadak 2. All these films are scheduled to enter theatres in 2020.
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.