By: Mohnish Singh
According to reports, Tamil superstar Dhanush’s next film Jagame Thandhiram is likely to enter theatres on February 12, 2021. Helmed by well-known filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj, the action thriller was originally slated to hit screens on May 1, 2020, but the sudden outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown led to its postponement. Fresh reports suggest that the makers are now eyeing February 12 to release the film in theatres.
Dhanush, who was last seen in the martial arts film Pattas (2020), plays the role of a gangster in Jagame Thandhiram. Recently, a few pictures of the superstar with a handlebar moustache from the sets of the film leaked online and took social media by storm. It is rumoured that Dhanush sports the moustache look in the flashback portion of the film.
Jagame Thandhiram, which went on floors in September 2019, has been shot in London apart from a few other places in the UK. The project marks the maiden collaboration between Dhanush and Karthik. In addition to Dhanush, the movie also stars Aishwarya Lekshmi and James Cosmo in significant roles.
Rumours were rife lately that the makers of Jagame Thandhiram were eyeing a direct-to-digital release for the film. Later, the team denied rumours about the movie forgoing theatrical release and heading for a digital premiere.
“Jagam is still healing and not back to normal. Until then, be patient for the theatres to open and don’t believe in rumours, the entire team is waiting to see Dhanush go Rakita Rakita on a big screen soon,” producer Sashikanth recently tweeted.
Dhanush recently completed shooting for his portions in his next Hindi film Atrangi Re. The big-ticket film reunites him with filmmaker Aanand L Rai after Raanjhanaa (2013) which marked his acting debut in Hindi cinema. Atrangi Re also stars Sara Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in important roles.
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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.