Fresh off the roaring success of Pushpa 2, Allu Arjun has announced a new film that’s already creating waves. This time, he’s partnering with hitmaker Atlee for a science-fiction project that promises something entirely out of the ordinary. The collaboration was confirmed on Allu Arjun’s birthday, and it’s no regular action flick. In fact, it's shaping up to be a visual spectacle unlike anything seen before in Indian cinema.
Backed by Sun Pictures, the film, currently untitled but dubbed AA22 is being pitched as a large-scale global project. What makes it stand out isn’t just the star power or budget, but the level of technical ambition. Arjun and Atlee recently travelled to Los Angeles, visiting some of Hollywood’s top visual effects studios, including Lola VFX, Ironhead Studio and Spectral Motion, names behind films like Avengers, Spider-Man and Black Panther. These visits weren’t for show, and the team is pulling out all the stops to craft a visually rich sci-fi universe featuring creatures, prosthetics and technology-driven storytelling.
- YouTubeyoutu.be
The announcement video shared by the production house shows glimpses of this world-building in progress, with Arjun undergoing a 3D body scan, detailed script discussions and concept props from major Hollywood projects. One technician even remarked that the script “blew his mind,” hinting at a plot packed with unexpected turns and high-concept imagination.
Atlee, known for high-energy entertainers like Jawan and Mersal, says this is the story he’s been waiting to tell for years. It blends large-scale action with fantasy and deep emotion, aimed squarely at both Indian and international audiences. Sai Abhyankar will be composing the music, marking his debut in Telugu cinema.
Reportedly mounted on a budget of £76 million (₹800 crore), the film is now one of the most expensive Indian productions to date. While the rest of the cast is still under wraps, production is expected to kick off in August 2025.
With a genre-defying concept and global production standards, this project is a calculated leap into the kind of storytelling that could change how Indian cinema is viewed across the world.
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.