Boxing Ring Legend turns a year older on Thursday. For the unversed, Tyson is making his Bollywood debut with Dharma Productions’ much-anticipated action flick Liger, which also features Ananya Panday and Vijay Deverakonda in lead roles.
And as he celebrates his birthday today, team Liger has a special message for him. Producer of the film, Karan Johar took to his Instagram to share a video where Vijay Deverakonda, Ananya Panday, and he can be seen giving a special birthday shoutout to him.
Earlier in April, Tyson wrapped up dubbing for the film. His acting portions were shot in the US.
Liger has been hogging the limelight ever since its inception but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the makers of the movie put a pause on its shoot.
The film was slated to get a worldwide theatrical release on September 9 last year but was postponed due to the rising Covid-19 cases at that time.
Directed by Puri Jagannadh, the film will also feature Ramya Krishnan, Ronit Roy, and Vishu Reddy, among others.
On the occasion of Vijay Deverakonda’s birthday in May, the makers had unveiled The Hunt Theme of the film. An over one-and-a-half-minute lyrical video gave a glimpse of Vijay’s remarkable transformation, his intense look, and his fighting spirit. It drops hints about Vijay’s inspiring journey from the Slumdog of Mumbai streets to becoming the champion in Mixed Martial Arts.
At the launch event of his next Jana Gana Mana, Vijay declared Liger a hit in advance. “People make it aware to me that there is this huge following and I am happy to know that it exists. But having said that I don't feel any kind of pressure with Liger because I know it's a sure hit. I am not bothered about it, I am just waiting for the film to release,” he said.
Liger has been co-produced by Charmme Kaur along with the director's production house Puri Connects.
The film is now slated to get a worldwide theatrical release on August 25, 2022, in five languages - Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.
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.