Acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam recently resumed production on his much-awaited magnum-opus Ponniyin Selvan after the state government of Tamil Nadu eased off lockdown restrictions. The latest we hear is that popular actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who plays a prominent role in the upcoming period drama, has joined the sets to film her portions.
The former Miss World began her acting career with Ratnam’s 1997 Tamil film Iruvar. She collaborated with the master storyteller again on Guru (2007) and followed it up with Raavan (2010). Ponniyin Selvan marks her fourth collaboration with the director.
Bachchan was last seen in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Fanney Khan (2018) in an extended cameo. Ponniyin Selvan will mark her return to the silver screen after a long gap of four years as the first part of the film is set to arrive in theatres next year in 2022.
Aside from her, the high-profile film also stars Vikram, Karthi, Jayaram, Trisha, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, and Aishwarya Lekshmi in prominent roles, and Prabhu, Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu, and Sobhita Dhulipala in supporting roles.
Ponniyin Selvan, which is based on celebrated writer Kalki Krishnamurthy’s historical fiction novel of the same name, is currently filming at a set in Pondicherry. The team will soon head off to Hyderabad for the final schedule.
Before the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic paused production, Ratnam had shot about 75 per cent of the film. The rest of the shoot will be completed in about 50 days. The filmmaker is looking at wrapping up the entire shoot by the end of August.
Oscar-winning music director AR Rahman is composing music for the period drama while Ravi Varman handles the camera. Originally made in Tamil, the film will simultaneously release in Hindi and Telugu.
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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.