By: Mohnish Singh
Panorama Studios International, which recently acquired the rights to remake the blockbuster Malayalam film Drishyam 2 (2021) in Hindi, has now assured the Bombay High Court that the production house will not begin production on the remake until the copyright suit filed against it is pending in the court.
For the uninitiated, Viacom18 Media Private Limited had approached the Bombay High Court seeking a restraining order on Panorama Studios International from producing any sequel to Drishyam (2015) in the Hindi language.
The 2015 film was a joint production between Panorama Studios International and Viacom18 Media Private Limited. So, when Panorama Studios International went ahead to set up the stage for a remake to the film, it did not go down well with Viacom18 Media Private Limited and they filed a legal complaint against them.
Viacom18 Media Private Limited has alleged infringement of their copyright and sought recognition and adjudication of copyright and other rights in the production of the sequel in the Drishyam franchise which includes a film on continuation from the previous story.
In its order, the HC said, “The statement is that the defendants (Panorama) will not themselves or through any other person with whom they may have a contract or arrangement, begin shooting of the film in question i.e. a sequel to the film Drishyam.”
The High Court also noted that if Panorama Studios International undertakes any pre-production work such as developing the script, screenplay or dialogue, then it will be at their own risk and that they will not be entitled to claim any equities on that basis in the future.
Starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Shriya Saran in important roles, Drishyam was one of the most successful Hindi films of 2015. It was the official remake of the Malayalam film of the same title released in 2013. The sequel to the Malayalam film released in February on streaming media giant Amazon Prime Video and received rousing response from critics and viewers alike.
After the huge success of Drishyam 2, Panorama Studios International bought the rights to remake it in Hindi. But looks like there is going to be a long wait before the audience gets to watch the sequel in Hindi.
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A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.