Vijay Deverakonda, who is a popular name in India’s Telugu film industry, is going pan-India with Dharma Productions’ much-awaited film Liger. In addition to him, the upcoming film also stars Ananya Panday in the lead role and the two have been leaving no stone unturned to promote the film ahead of its grand release on July 25.
During an interview with a leading entertainment portal, Deverakonda revealed that legendary boxing champion Mike Tyson, who plays a pivotal part in the film, punched him by mistake during a practice session for the film.
“I was scared when I saw his hands, his feet, and his neck. He accidentally punched me during practice, which gave me a migraine the rest of the day. Although I was not knocked unconscious, my body wanted to collapse,” the actor recalled.
Talking about his moments with the iconic boxer, Deverakonda said, “Although he was quite polite, I had been afraid earlier. I would like to think that we are close friends.”
Bankrolled by Karan Johar, Puri Jagannadh, and Charmee Kaur, Liger is directed by Jagannadh Puri. The film will see Vijay Deverakonda in a never-seen-before avatar. Though Liger marks his first film in Bollywood, the actor is already quite popular in the Hindi-speaking belt of India thanks to the huge popularity of his films dubbed in Hindi.
Ananya Panday, who made her acting debut with Dharma Productions’ college-caper Student of the Year 2 in 2019, plays Deverakonda’s love interest in Liger. The film will mark her foray into Tollywood.
After the release of Liger, Vijay Deverakonda will commence work on yet another pan-India film, titled Jana Gana Mana. The film, which was launched recently with much fanfare in Mumbai, will reunite the actor with Puri Jagannadh.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.