While Megastar Salman Khan is part of two film franchises and Aamir Khan none, superstar Shah Rukh Khan is associated with only one film franchise, Don. The series has seen two instalments so far and both were equally loved by the audience. Talks about a third part of the franchise are not new. Fans have been waiting for an official announcement for a long time. However, if latest reports are to be believed, Don 3 might go on floors sometime next year as the work on the same has already begun.
Ritesh Sidhwani, the producer of the franchise, says, “It will happen sooner than you know, as we have started working on the script and the story. I think we need to crack the story as the responsibility is more. With the next film in 'Don' franchise we won't take that much time, we'll make it fast.”
The first two films saw Priyanka Chopra as the leading lady, but since the actress is quite busy with her prior commitments in Hollywood, she might not be a part of the next instalment. Recently, reports were doing the rounds that Deepika Padukone might replace PC in the film to be Shah Rukh Khan’s leading lady.
Speaking about the same, Sidhwani said, “We have not decided what we are going to do with it. Right now the film is in the idea stage, it needs to come out in the form of story and screenplay. So it is too early to say anything.”
The first part of the series, Don, came in 2006 and was a runaway success at the box office. Its sequel, Don 2, released in 2011 and emerged as one of the highest grossing Bollywood films of the year. Hope Don 3 replicates the success of its predecessors.
Don franchise is an Excel Entertainment offering.
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.