Tollywood star Allu Arjun, who was last seen in Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), resumed filming the pending portion of his much-awaited film Pushpa on Tuesday. The makers said in a statement that they are looking at wrapping up the remaining shoot in a single start-to-finish schedule.
Based on the smuggling of red sandalwood in Seshachalam forest, Andhra Pradesh, Pushpa is an action-thriller that revolves around a lorry driver who is part of the illegal business. The Sukumar directorial also features Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil in principal roles.
In addition to Telugu, the high-profile film is set to hit screens in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada in two parts. The first part is slated to release on August 13, 2021, with the second installment hitting the marquee in 2022. The film marks the third collaboration between Arjun and Sukumar.
Pushpa has been hitting the headlines ever since its official announcement. In May, the makers dropped the first-look poster of Arjun in a fierce and intense avatar, which received overwhelming response from his fans and film enthusiasts. Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar are bankrolling the film under the banner of Mythri Movie Makers.
“Pushpa is an action-packed story that has moments that tug at the heart. Filming it has been a joyride. We are very happy to restart the shooting and we hope to wrap it up in time to present it to the audience. We witnessed incredible excitement for ‘Introduction To Pushpa Raj’ and we aim to surpass it with the film. We would love to meet the viewers in cinemas soon through Pushpa,” the producers said in a statement.
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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.