By: Mohnish Singh
After the riotous success of Master (2021), Tamil superstar Vijay has teamed up with filmmaker Nelson Dhilipkumar for his next directorial offering. The film, which was announced months before the release of Master, has been tentatively titled Thalapathy 65.
According to reports, Dhilipkumar will commence the first shooting schedule of the film as soon as the entire cast is finalised. While it is confirmed that Vijay is playing the male lead in the film, casting for other important characters is still underway.
If fresh reports are to be believed, actress Pooja Hegde has been cast to play the female lead in the film. Since Thalapathy 65 is set to be a pan-India film, Hegde is set to receive a whopping amount for her role in it. Several media outlets report that the actress will receive a hefty paycheque of 35 million to play the leading lady opposite Vijay.
However, the makers are yet to confirm her association with the big-ticket project. Earlier, some media outlets also reported that Vijay had taken a pay cut due to the Coronavirus-induced loss the industry suffered.
But from what we hear, Thalapathy 65 is going to be one of the costliest films of Tamil cinema as the thunderous response to Vijay's latest release Master in other languages encouraged the makers to mount this film on a lavish scale and release it in multiple languages, including Hindi.
The film is expected to begin production soon. The makers are planning to shoot it mostly in Chennai. Popular music director Anirudh Ravichander will score music for the film, while Manoj Paramahamsa will handle the camera.
Meanwhile, Pooja Hegde has several interesting projects in her pocket. Last seen in blockbuster Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), she is currently filming for four high-profile films, including Most Eligible Bachelor, Radhe Shyam, Cirkus, and Acharya. She will also romance Salman Khan in Sajid Nadiadwala’s next production Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali.
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.