According to reports, Season 2 of the much-loved British spy-thriller series The Night Manager has added Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Hayley Squires to the cast.
This news comes shortly after it was revealed that Daisy Jones & The Six star Camila Morrone had joined the cast, in addition to Babylon breakout Diego Calva also signing on to play a pivotal part.
Star Tom Hiddleston, who plays Jonathan Pine, a luxury hotel manager who gets wrapped up in a crime syndicate conspiracy, is the only one confirmed to be reprising his role from the first season.
The Night Manager is based on John le Carré’s novel. It returns for two new seasons produced by BBC and Prime Video. The first season aired in 2016 and turned out to be a major success. The series was later adapted in India with Aditya Roy Kapur and Anil Kapoor playing lead parts.
Varma has several successful projects to her name, but most fans recognize her from her role as Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones. She recently appeared opposite Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One and also plays The Duchess in the newest season of the Ncuti Gatwa-led Doctor Who.
If reports are to be believed, the new season will start filming later this year. It picks up eight years after the first season. Elizabeth Debicki played Jed Marshall in the first season but will not return for the new season.
David Farr, the series creator, will write the new seasons. Georgi Banks-Davies is onboard to direct all of Season 2. Stephen Garrett leads production, and Hugh Laurie is attached as the executive producer.
Season 2 will be available on BBC One and iPlayer in the U.K., with Prime Video holding international rights.
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.