By: Mohnish Singh
After romancing her in his last release Sye Raa Narsimha Reddy (2019), Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi has reunited with talented actress Nayanthara for his next film, which is an official remake of blockbuster Malayalam actioner Lucifer (2019).
Nayanthara, who is currently riding high on the success of Tamil fantasy comic-caper Mookuthi Amman (2020), is already part of five high-profile films at the moment. By agreeing to star in the remake of Lucifer, she has added one more exciting project to her pocket. The actress is yet to sign the film on the dotted line, though.
The remake is being helmed by Mohan Raja and has Chiranjeevi playing the male lead. According to reports, Nayanthara is set to join the star cast to play the character which actress Manju Warrier did in the original.
While the actress played Chiranjeevi’s wife Siddhamma in Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, she will be seen as his sister in the upcoming remake. It is said that the makers were considering actresses like Suhasini, Ramya Krishnan, Nadiya, and Genelia, among others to play the strong character but finally went ahead with Nayanthara.
The makers are reportedly looking at commencing production in March. Apart from Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara, the remake is going to star several prominent actors in important characters.
Lucifer, which starred Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in the lead role, was one of the highest-grossing films of 2019. It marked the directorial debut of well-known actor Prithiviraj. Apart from Mohanlal and Manju Warrier, the film had a number of talented actors on its ensemble cast, including Vivek Oberoi, Sachin Khedekar, Suresh Chandra Menon, Waluscha De Sousa, Shakti Kapoor, Nyla Usha, Indrajith Sukumaran, and Tovino Thomas, to name a few.
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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.