Starring Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Kriti Kharbanda and Pooja Hegde in central characters, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment’s latest offering Housefull 4 has been running in theatres for more than a month now. Helmed by writer-director Farhad Samji, the reincarnation comedy hit the marquee on 25th October and has been making money ever since.
Several new films have come and gone in the past one month, but none could challenge the holdover of Housefull 4 at the domestic box-office. The comic-caper currently stands with a grand total of approximately Rs 205.70 crore. It is just Rs 20-25 lakhs behind Golmaal Again (2017), the fourth instalment of Rohit Shetty’s superhit comedy franchise Golmaal.
Since there is no big competition till Panipat and Pati Patni Aur Woh arrive in cinemas on 6th December and take away a large chunk of theatres, Housefull 4 will have a steady run and will surpass the lifetime collection of the Rohit Shetty directorial to become the highest comedy grosser of Bollywood.
Pooja Hegde, who made her Bollywood debut with Mohenjo Daro 2016, received praises for her performance in Housefull 4. She is elated with the thunderous success of the film at the cash counter. "(It) feels amazing when the film makes the money as it means that the audience has loved it and are coming to watch it. We made a mad and fun film and my heartfelt gratitude to the audience for appreciating it,” said the actress.
Speculations are rife in Bollywood corridors that buoyed up by the huge success of Housefull 4, producer Sajid Nadiadwala is planning Housefull 5. Deepika Padukone, who played one of the female leads in the first instalment, might return to the franchise to pair up opposite Akshay Kumar who has been a regular in all the parts of Housefull.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.