The runaway success of Baaghi 2, which hit the silver screen on 30th March, has surprised one and all. Not just the audience, but the entire film fraternity is also stunned to see the kind of unprecedented response the action entertainer has generated at the cash counter within three days of its release.
Tiger Shroff, who headlines the actioner along with Disha Patani, is overwhelmed by the love the audience has showered on the movie. The actor also expresses his gratitude towards his mentor and godfather Sajid Nadiadwala on social media.
The young star took to Instagram to post a story expressing his heartfelt gratitude towards his Godfather in the industry, Sajid Nadiadwala. "I want to thank Sajid Nadiadwala sir, my Godfather and father in the industry, who has given me a sort of rebirth in the industry. I'm very very thankful for him," he wrote.
For the uninitiated, Baaghi 2 has been produced by Sajid Nadiadwala who launched Tiger Shroff in Hindi cinema with the action romantic film Heropanti. Released in 2014, the movie also launched Kriti Sanon in Bollywood and was a big box-office success. Their second collaboration Baaghi also left the cash registers jingling in 2016. Baaghi 2 marks their third collaboration.
Raking in a humongous INR 25.10 crores on its opening day, Baaghi 2 inflamed the domestic box-office. While the movie garnered INR 20.40 crores on its second day, income soared to INR 27.60 crores on Sunday, taking the cumulative collection to a massive INR 73.60 crores at the Indian box-office.
Now the actor-producer duo is gearing up to begin work on Baaghi 3 which was announced months before the release of Baaghi 2.
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.