Starring Malayalam superstar Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role, the much-anticipated crime thriller Salute is slated for its world premiere on streaming platform SonyLIV on March 18, the makers announced on Monday.
The Malayalam film was previously scheduled to release in theatres on January 14 but was postponed due to the rising coronavirus cases in India.
Directed by Rosshan Andrrews, the film also stars Diana Penty in the lead role. It marks the Malayalam debut of the Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016) actress.
The supporting cast includes actors Manoj K Jayan, Lakshmi Gopalaswami, Sania Iyyappan, Alancier, Binu Pappu, Vijayakumar, and Saikumar, among others.
Apart from playing the lead role, Salmaan has also bankrolled Salute under his production banner Wayfarer Films.
The streamer shared the release date and trailer of the film on its official Twitter page.
“SonyLIV and Wayfarer Films are glad to come together to bring you Dulquer Salman's Salute, directed by Roshan Andrews and written by Bobby-Sanjay,” the post read.
Salute was first announced by Dulquer Salmaan in March 2021, as he shared a poster of his cop character sitting on a motorcycle with a swagger and captioned it ‘End Game’. The team wrapped up production by July. At completing filming, the actor shared yet another poster to announce the wrap and said that it was an ‘incredible experience’ and that he could not wait for audiences to see it.
Salmaan’s latest release is the Tamil romantic-comedy Hey Sinamika (2022), which hit cinemas last week. The film also features Aditi Rao Hydari and Kajal Aggarwal in lead roles. Directed by Brinda Gopal, Hey Sinamika has been bankrolled by Jio Studios and Global One Studios.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.