Southern superstar Kamal Haasan, who was last seen on celluloid in his home production Vishwaroopam 2 (2019), has wrapped up the second shooting schedule of his much-awaited film Indian 2. As the title aptly suggests, Indian 2 is a sequel to the National Film Award winning 1996 movie Indian, featuring Kamal Haasan, Manisha Koirala and Urmila Matondkar in lead roles.
Kamal has been all busy over the past few days shooting for the sequel. The latest news related to the sequel is that the team recently wrapped up the second schedule of the film with a jaw-dropping action sequence in Valarasavakkan, Chennai, under the supervision of action choreographer Peter Hein. The entire cast and crew of the vigilant thriller will now head off to Hyderabad in a few days to commence the third schedule.
The sequel, which was announced last year, will have the National Film Award winning actor performing some high-octane action sequences. Talking about his look, he will be seen sporting a clean-shaven look in the movie.
Indian 2 also stars Kajal Aggarwal in the lead role. The talented actress will be seen in an action avatar. To get into the skin of her character in the movie, she has even taken special training in Indian Martial Art, Kalarippayattu.
Apart from Kamal Haasan and Kajal, Indian 2 also stars Rakul Preet Singh, Vidyut Jammwal, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Siddharth along with other actors in major roles. The movie is being directed by well-known filmmaker Shankar, who also called the shots for the original film more than two decades ago. It reunites Shankar and Kamal after a huge gap of more than twenty years.
Produced by Lyca Productions, Indian 2 is scheduled for its grand theatrical release on 14th April, 2021.
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.