Many South films are getting a direct-to-digital release, and joining them is Nithiin, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Nabha Natesh starrer Maestro. Directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, the Telugu movie will premiere on Disney+ Hotstar.
The streaming platform took to Twitter to make an announcement about it and revealed that the trailer of Maestro will be out on 23rd August 2021. They posted, “A masterclass that needs no tutorial but still has one! #Maestro trailer coming out on 23rd August. #DisneyPlusHotstarMultiplex @actor_nithiin @tamannaahspeaks @NabhaNatesh @MerlapakaG @SreshthMovies @mahathi_sagar #SudhakarReddy #NikithaReddy #RajKumarAkella.”
Maestro is the Telugu remake of Hindi film Andhadhun. Nithiin will be seen playing the character that Aushmann Khurrana played in the original film. Tamannaah Bhatia will step into Tabu’s shoes, and Nabha Natesh will portray the role that was played by Radhika Apte in the Hindi film.
Earlier this year, the first glimpse of Maestro was released on Nithiin’s birthday. While sharing the teaser, the actor had posted, “Behind every note,sharp & flat,There is an untold story First Glimpse from #Maestro https://youtu.be/-oXi4_G44xs @SreshthMovies @tamannaahspeaks @NabhaNatesh @MerlapakaG #SudhakarReddy #NikithaReddy #RajKumarAkella @mahathi_sagar #MaestroFirstGlimpse.”
While Maestro is the Telugu remake of Andhadhun, a Tamil (Andhagan) and Malayalam (Bhramam) remake of the movie is also on the cards.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Andhadhun is one of the best thrillers made in Bollywood, so the expectations from the remakes are also quite high.
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.