By: Mohnish Singh
According to reports, Bollywood actor Johan Abraham has been approached to play antagonist against Prabhas in the much-awaited pan-India film Salaar. Prashanth Neel, who has helmed KGF: Chapter 1 (2018) and its upcoming sequel KGF: Chapter 2, has been tapped to direct the high-voltage action entertainer.
If reports are to be believed, Abraham has given his primary nod to star in the film as he really liked the script when the makers recently met him for a narration. However, he is yet to sign the project on the dotted line. The team is currently finalising his remuneration. They will soon lock his dates as well.
Salaar has been making it to the headlines ever since its official announcement in December 2020. This is the first time when Prabhas has joined hands with immensely talented filmmaker Prashanth Neel and the audience is really looking forward to their maiden collaboration with bated breath.
Apart from Prabhas, Salaar also features Shruti Haasan in the lead role. The actress will be sharing the screen space with the Baahubali actor for the first time in her career. Popular Kannada actor Madhu Guruswamy is also playing an important role in the eagerly awaited film.
Vijay Kiragandur is bankrolling Salaar under the banner of Hombale Films. To be shot simultaneously in Kannada and Telugu languages, the film will later be dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. It is scheduled to release theatrically on 14 April, 2022.
Meanwhile, Johan Abraham has a couple of interesting Hindi projects in the pipeline. Before shooting activities came to a halt in April due to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the actor was shooting for Yash Raj Films’ Pathan, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. He also headlines his home production Attack, alongside Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet Singh.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.