By: Mohnish Singh
The makers of Mahasamudram on Saturday announced that the much-awaited Telugu film will release in theatres on August 19. The action-drama film stars Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth, and Sharwanand in principal characters and has been directed by Ajay Bhupati.
Announcing the release date on Twitter, producer Anil Sunkara wrote, “Everyone used to ask me why we could not produce a love story all these years. Now we are here to present to you the immense and immeasurable love actioner that we will be proud of forever. MAHASAMUDRAM will be hitting the shores on August 19th, 2021 (sic).”
Actor Siddharth, who is a popular name in Tamil cinema, is making his return to Tollywood after a long gap of eight years. Welcoming him on board, Bhupathi had earlier tweeted, “Happy to have Siddharth in Mahasamudram. This intense multi-starrer will surely reach your expectations. Welcome back Siddhu.”
Siddharth was last seen in a Telugu film titled Jabardasth, which hit the marquee in 2013. Confirming his return to Telugu cinema with Mahasamudram, the actor had earlier tweeted, “Starting work on my first Telugu film in 8 years Mahasamudram next month. Like I said I would, I am coming back, and I am doing so with a great team and cast of co-actors.”
Meanwhile, Aditi Rao Hydari is waiting for the premiere of her next Bollywood film The Girl On The Train. The much-awaited film, which also stars Parineeti Chopra, Kirti Kulhari, and Avinash Tiwary in important roles, starts streaming on 26th February on Netflix.
Hydari, who was most recently seen in the Malayalam-language romantic drama film Sufiyum Sujatayum (2020), also stars in the upcoming Tamil rom-com Hey Sinamika. The film also has Dulquer Salmaan and Kajal Aggarwal in lead roles.
Her film Mahasamudram has been produced by Sunkara Ramabrahmam under the banner of AK Entertainment.
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.