Leading Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar on Monday announced that boxing legend Mike Tyson is set to feature in one of his forthcoming production ventures Liger. The film stars Ananya Panday and Vijay Deverakonda in lead roles.
“The film that narrates the story of a mixed martial arts person will feature ‘Iron Mike’ in a significant and mighty role,” said a statement by the film’s unit.
#NamasteTyson started trending on Twitter as soon as Karan Johar tweeted to make the announcement that the former professional boxer will be seen in the film. Welcoming the boxing legend, Johar tweeted, “For the first time ever, the king of the ring will be seen on the big screens of Indian cinema! Welcoming @MikeTyson to the LIGER team!”
The filmmaker also released a black and white clip to introduce Tyson, saying, “We are proud to announce, for the first time on Indian screens. The man who created history. Unbeatable icon, one and only legend, the great Mike Tyson, is on board for our prestigious project.”
For the first time ever, the king of the ring will be seen on the big screens of Indian cinema! Welcoming @MikeTyson to the #LIGER team!? #NamasteTyson@TheDeverakonda @ananyapandayy #PuriJagannadh @charmmeofficial @apoorvamehta18 @RonitBoseRoy @meramyakrishnan @iamVishuReddy pic.twitter.com/pl5AnUSB35
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) September 27, 2021
Deverakonda also took to his Twitter handle to share the clip. “We promised you madness! We are just getting started... For the first time on Indian Screens. Joining our mass spectacle - #LIGER. The Baddest Man on the Planet. The God of Boxing. The Legend, the Beast, the Greatest of all Time! IRON MIKE TYSON,” he wrote.
Liger is a bilingual film simultaneously shot in Hindi and Telugu. Tollywood heartthrob Vijay Deverakonda will make his Bollywood debut with the film while Ananya Panday sets her foot in Telugu cinema with the same. Successful Telugu filmmaker Puri Jagannadh is directing. The film is jointly produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Charmme Kaur.
Liger, which recently resumed production after the second wave of the pandemic, is currently being shot in Goa. The film is scheduled to have a pan-India theatrical release in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.
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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.