By: Mohnish Singh
Rashmika Mandanna, who is a force to reckon with in the South Indian film industry, is gearing up to set her foot in Bollywood. She is set to make her Hindi film debut with the much-awaited spy thriller Mission Majnu.
Also starring Sidharth Malhotra in the lead role, Mission Majnu is based on true events. It revolves around the deadliest covert operation undertaken by the Indian intelligence agency RAW in Pakistan. The film went on floors a couple of weeks ago in Lucknow, India.
Rashmika Mandanna is currently stationed in Lucknow shooting for the film. The actress has been working hard to get into the skin of her character. She is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that her character shines on the screen and leaves an indelible impression on viewers’ minds whenever the film enters theatres.
Talking about her first day on the sets of Mission Majnu, a source close to the actress said, "On the first day itself, Rashmika broke the ice around her. Even though she was working with a new team, she made everyone comfortable in her company. She is a ball of energy on the sets, and everyone is very fond of her.”
The source went on to add further, “The cast and crew on sets also refer to her by her character's name which is hardly the case on any set. It is commendable how she has completely read the skin of her character right.”
Rashmika Mandanna is known for her powerful performances in such Telugu blockbusters as Sarrileru Neekevaru (2020), Dear Comrade (2019), and Geetha Govindam (2018). Not only her South Indian fans, but Bollywood buffs are also waiting for her first Hindi film with bated breath.
Directed by Shantanu Bagchi, Mission Majnu is being produced by RSVP Movies and Guilt By Association Media Llp.
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.