The Indian film industry is the biggest film-producing industry in the world which produces over two thousand films every year. Indian films are watched by millions of people all over the globe and stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Prabhas enjoy huge popularity in several parts of the world. Today, we are going to highlight 5 upcoming pan-India films we cannot wait to watch on the silver screen in 2023.
Ponniyin Selvan 2
Directed by celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratnam, Ponniyin Selvan is one of the most ambitious projects ever produced by the Tamil film industry. The first film of the two-part project released in September 2022 and turned out to be a major success at the box office. Now, the audience is looking forward to the release of Ponniyin Selvan 2, which enters cinemas on April 28 in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam. Based on Kalki Krishnamurthy's epic novel of the same name, the film features an ensemble cast of Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Prakash Raj, and Jayaram.
Adipurush
Adipurush, based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, is touted to be the most expensive film ever made in Bollywood. The magnum-opus stars Prabhas as Lord Rama, Kriti Sanon as Sita, Sunny Singh as Laxman, and Saif Ali Khan as Lankesh. Directed by Om Raut, the film is slated to release on 16 June 2023. The film is set to premiere at the Tribeca Festival in the Escape From Tribeca section on 13 June 2023.
Jawan
After the riotous success of Pathaan, all eyes are on Shah Rukh Khan’s next release Jawan. The action-thriller, directed by Tamil filmmaker Atlee Kumar, also stars Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra, Vijay Sethupathi, and Sunil Grover in important roles. As per reports, Khan plays a dual role in the film and will be seen performing some high-octane action sequences. Jawan is due on June 2, 2023.
Pushpa: The Rule
After the earth-shattering success of Pushpa: The Rising (2021) across India, Allu Arjun is set to treat his fans to the second installment titled Pushpa: The Rule. Directed by Sukumar, the film also stars Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles. The makers are yet to announce the official release date for the film.
Salaar
Written and directed by Prashanth Neel, Salaar is an action thriller, starring Prabhas and Shruti Haasan in central characters. Shot simultaneously in Kannada and Telugu languages, the film will be dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. It is scheduled to release on September 28, 2023. While the first part is still months away from its release, the makers have already announced a follow-up to the film.
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.