Abhimanyu Singh, who is known for his performances in movies like Rakta Charitra, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Jazbaa, Mom, and others, has now joined the cast of Rajinikanth starrer Annaatthe.
Sun Pictures took to Twitter to make an announcement about the actor’s casting. They tweeted, “#AbhimanyuSingh joins the cast of #Annaatthe. @rajinikanth @directorsiva #Nayanthara @KeerthyOfficial @immancomposer.”
Directed by Siva, Annaatthe also stars Nayanthara and Keerthy Suresh in the lead roles. The film is slated to release on Diwali this year.
There were reports that the movie might get postponed as the shoot was delayed due to the pandemic. However, last month, the makers confirmed that the film will release on Diwali 2021.
They had tweeted a new poster and wrote, “#AnnaattheDeepavali ku ready ah?! @rajinikanth @directorsiva #Nayanthara @KeerthyOfficial @immancomposer #Annaatthe.”
Talking about other projects of Abhimanyu Singh, the actor will be seen in movies like Sooryavanshi, The Battle of Bhima Koregaon, and Bachchan Pandey. Sooryavanshi, which stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles, was slated to release in March 2020, but was postponed due to the pandemic.
The makers later decided to release the movie in April this year, but even that didn’t happen due to the second wave of Covid-19 in India.
Well, Singh is mainly known for playing negative roles, but the details about his character in Annaatthe are not yet revealed.
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.