In a dramatic turn of events, actor-filmmaker Divya Khossla Kumar has publicly released a recording of a phone call with veteran producer Mukesh Bhatt, following his comments that she instigated a controversy for publicity. The dispute centers around similarities between Alia Bhatt's 2024 film Jigra and Kumar's Savi, in which she starred alongside Harshvardhan Rane.
The controversy initially flared last year when Kumar alleged that Jigra's storyline mirrored that of Savi. She further accused Alia Bhatt of inflating box office numbers for Jigra, claiming that she witnessed an empty theater when she went to see the film. Bhatt, who produced Savi, recently dismissed Kumar's claims as a "publicity stunt". He stated that Alia Bhatt, being a major star, wouldn't need to steal ideas and that Kumar's allegations were a way to create controversy for attention.
On Thursday, Kumar shared the audio recording on Instagram, directly confronting Bhatt about his statements. In the recording, she asks Bhatt whether he had spoken against her and accused her of creating the controversy for publicity. Bhatt denies the allegations, stating, "Na mereko kisi ne pucha, na maine kisi ko bola (Neither someone asked me nor did I say it to anyone). This is again created by people".
Kumar expressed that she was particularly upset because the negative reports surfaced on her birthday. Bhatt reassured her that he had said nothing against her and suggested that the timing was planned to hurt her, possibly by those in the "other camp". He urged her to "rise above it" and hinted that the backlash may have come from rivals.
In the Instagram post accompanying the recording, Kumar wrote that she was "deeply shocked" by the revelation and felt it crucial to bring the truth to light, especially for artists and fans who have endured hierarchy, lobbying, and gatekeeping in the film industry. She stated, "Regrettably, I have no option but to release the phone conversation between Mr. Mukesh Bhatt and myself so that people can hear firsthand how certain factions strive to undermine careers and marginalize genuine talent. This conduct is intolerable and should not be normalized. It is time for us to speak out. It is time to confront the industry mafia. I will raise my voice - and I will fight this battle".
Bhatt also mentioned that Jigra might have been inspired by the film Gumraah, which itself was inspired by Bangkok Hilton. He revealed that he had bought the rights to The Next Three Days and adapted it for Savi, flipping the lead's gender.
The release of this recording marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute. It remains to be seen whether Alia Bhatt will respond to these renewed allegations. The incident has brought attention to the power dynamics and potential for "mafia" like behavior within the Bollywood industry, sparking further debate and discussion.
