By: Mohnish Singh
If sources are to be believed, Hrithik Roshan is set to play the dreaded gangster Vedha in the Hindi adaptation of the successful Tamil neo-noir action thriller Vikram Vedha (2017). The original film, directed by Pushkar and Gayathri, starred R Madhavan as Vikram and Vijay Sethupathi as Vedha.
Talking about the same, a source informs an entertainment portal, “Hrithik has come on board to play the part of Vedha, and he has decided to add his own touch to the role. In fact, for the past two months, Hrithik has been working on his physique, his mannerisms and his diction to do justice to the character of Vedha. And looking at his dedication, he is sure to lend the role a bit of his charisma.”
Roshan was last seen in Yash Raj Films’ 2019 action thriller War, which turned out to be the highest-grossing film of that year. Though he also has Siddharth Anand’s Fighter in his hand, Vikram Vedha remake is likely to be the 25th film of his career. The actor exploded onto the silver screen with Kaho Na Pyaar Hai (2000) and has delivered multiple blockbusters over the years.
“The Vikram Vedha adaptation will also mark Hrithik Roshan’s silver jubilee in the industry, so it makes the film that much more special. Given this, the actor is making sure that it will be a film to remember,” adds the source.
We also hear that Pushkar and Gayathri, who directed the original, will helm the remake as well. The project is currently in the pre-production stage and has not been titled as yet. Talented actor Saif Ali Khan has been roped in to play the parallel lead in the remake. He essays the same character which R Madhavan played in the original.
More details are expected to arrive soon.
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.