MERLE DANDRIDGE, known for her role in The Last of Us, along with Rahul Kohli and Michael Trucco, co-stars of The Fall of the House of Usher, are the latest actors to join the cast of Prime Video's Citadel for its second season.
They will join lead actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden in the series, which is created by Joe Russo and Anthony Russo.
Production on the new season is set to begin this year, with Joe Russo returning as director, according to a press release.
The first season of Citadel revolved around elite agents Mason Kane (Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Chopra Jonas), who had their memories wiped as they narrowly escaped with their lives after independent global spy agency Citadel’s fall.
The show followed Mason and Nadia building new lives under new identities, unaware of their pasts. Until one night, Mason is tracked down by his former Citadel colleague who desperately needs his help to prevent rival agency Manticore from establishing a new world order.
Besides Chopra Jonas and Madden, season two will also see Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville reprise their roles. Jack Reynor of Midsommar fame also rounds out the cast.
From Amazon MGM Studios and the Russo Brothers' banner AGBO, Citadel is executive produced by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Scott Nemes for AGBO, with David Weil serving as showrunner and executive producer.
The series serves as the flagship show that will blend with local shows Citadel: Honey Bunny (India), starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Citadel: Diana fronted by Matilda De Angelis.
While Citadel: Diana will arrive on October 10, with Citadel: Honey Bunny premiering on November 7.
According to the makers, Citadel premiered to global success in 2023, becoming Prime Video's second most-watched new original series outside the US, and fourth most-watched worldwide, after 24 days. (PTI)
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.