By: Mohnish Singh
It is no secret that Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi had officially bought the remake rights of the blockbuster Malayalam film Lucifer (2019) from its makers in 2019. The remake, which is set to be his 153rd film, was launched on Wednesday amid much fanfare.
The launch ceremony saw the attendance of a galaxy of popular names from Telugu cinema, including Allu Aravind, Niranjan Reddy, Koratala Siva, Ashwini Dutt, DVV Danayya, Nagababu, Tagore Madhu, Meher Ramesh, Gemini Kiran, Satyanand, Bobby, Ram Achanta, Gopi Achanta, Miryala Ravinder Reddy, Naveen Yerneni, Sirish Reddy, and Vicky, to name a few.
Filmmaker Mohan Raja, who is known for helming such films as Jayam (2003), Santosh Subramaniam (2008), and Thani Oruvan (2015), has been roped in to direct the upcoming remake, which will mark his comeback to Telugu cinema after his debut directorial Hanuman Junction (2001).
Confirming the same, Raja had earlier tweeted, “With the blessings of my parents and well-wishers, life has always gifted me better and bigger things. And this time, I am more elated and honoured to direct a mega project with Megastar Chiranjeevi himself. Need all your wishes and prayers.”
Konidela Productions, Super Good Films, and NVR Films have come together to jointly produce the much-awaited remake which will be presented by Surekha Konidela. The film will have music by Thaman S.
“The biggest dream for any composer. It is my turn to show my love towards our boss Shri megastar Chiranjeevi and my dear brother Mohan Raja. Here we begin our musical journey for Lucifer,” the music director tweeted on the same day.
While the makers have announced that the regular shooting will resume from February, there is no update on the rest of the cast and crew working on the project. More details are expected to arrive soon.
Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, Lucifer starred Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in the lead role of a politician named Stephen Nedumballi. The film also had Vivek Oberoi, Manju Warrier, Sachin Khedekar, and several other actors on its ensemble cast.
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.