The Madras High Court on Wednesday vacated the injunction filed by Sikhya Entertainment, against the Hindi remake of the critically-acclaimed Tamil-language film Soorarai Pottru (2020).
Sikhya Entertainment, the co-producer of Soorarai Pottru, had filed the injunction application against 2D Entertainment and Abundantia Entertainment that they should not go ahead with the Hindi remake.
2D Entertainment had pleaded that they have paid a huge sum in facilitating the acquisition of the right of the book Simply Fly, which Soorarai Pottru is partly based on. Simply Fly is based on the story of GR Gopinath, the founder of Air Deccan.
With Madras High Court ruling in favour of 2D Entertainment and Abundantia Entertainment, work on the Hindi remake is expected to gather momentum. Sudha Kongara, who helmed the original, is onboard to direct the Hindi remake too. The cast and crew for the Hindi remake are yet to be announced. Buzz, however, has it that Akshay Kumar is set to play the lead role in the untitled remake.
Speaking about the Hindi remake in a statement earlier, Kongara said, “I was instantly drawn to the story of Soorarai Pottru, the story of Captain Gopinath, an adventurous maverick and an inspiring entrepreneur who epitomised the New India of the 90s. I am grateful for all the love we have received so far and look forward to telling this unique and amazing story in Hindi.”
Starring Suriya, Aparna Balamurali, Krishna Kumar, Urvashi, Karunas, and Paresh Rawal in important roles, Soorarai Pottru premiered on Amazon Prime Video on November 12, 2020. The film amassed positive responses from both fans and critics alike. It has received a rating of 9.2 on IMDB.
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.