Filmmaker Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios have obtained rights to remake the successful Malayalam film Hridayam (2022) in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
The film, directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, released on January 21, 2022, and garnered great critical and commercial success. It featured Pranav Mohanlal, Kalyani Priyadarshan, and Darshana Rajendran in principal roles.
Johar took to his Twitter handle to announce the news. He wrote, “I am so delighted and honoured to share this news with you. Dharma Productions & Fox Star Studios have acquired the rights to a beautiful, coming-of-age love story, Hridayam in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu – all the way from the south, the world of Malayalam cinema.”
I am so delighted and honoured to share this news with you. Dharma Productions & Fox Star Studios have acquired the rights to a beautiful, coming-of-age love story, #Hridayam in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu – all the way from the south, the world of Malayalam cinema. pic.twitter.com/NPjIqwhz8l
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) March 25, 2022
Thanking Visakh Subramaniam, the producer of the original film, the filmmaker added, “Thank you Visakh Subramaniam and Merryland Cinemas for this huge win. Can't wait for you to see it. More updates incoming, stay tuned.”
Visakh Subramaniam posted the same poster and wrote, “I am excited, honoured and extremely happy to announce that the Hindi, Tamil & Telugu remake rights of Hridayam have been acquired jointly by Dharma Production and Fox Star Studios. It is a dream come true for our team, to be associating with these two prestigious and respected names in the industry. Thank you, Madhavan sir, Karan Johar sir, and Apoorva Mehta sir for your faith in our film.”
He added, “Heartfelt thanks to audiences all over the world for the immense love you have showered upon our film.”
Subramaniam also shared a photo with Johar and Dharma Productions CEO Apoorva Mehta. In his long post, he also wrote, “Today, it is a dream come true to have my film’s remake rights acquired by two of the most prestigious banners, whose films I have loved and enjoyed over the years.”
Hridayam is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
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.