A couple of weeks ago, rumours were swirling around that producer Madhu Mantena was on the verge of signing Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu alongside Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone in his much-awaited magnum-opus Ramayana 3D. The latest we hear that Babu has turned down the offer to headline the film which has Dangal (2016) and Chhichhore (2019) fame Nitesh Tiwari onboard as director.
A well-placed source informs an entertainment publication that the actor has chosen acclaimed filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s next directorial venture over Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s film.
“Madhu and Nitesh are looking to shoot for Ramayana from mid-2022 and the dates coincide with the biggest filmmaker of India, SS Rajamouli's next. It was an obvious choice for Mahesh to choose Rajamouli over the rendition of Ramayana,” divulged the source.
Reportedly, Hrithik Roshan has been roped in to play Raavan in the high-profile project, while Deepika Padukone will step into the character of Sita. With Mahesh Babu rejecting the offer, the makers now have no other option but to begin the hunt for another actor to portray Ram on celluloid again. It will be really interesting to see who finally bags the plum role.
Before commencing work on Ramayana 3D, Hrithik Roshan will wrap up all the projects that he has signed so far. These include the official remake of the superhit Tamil film Vikram Vedha (2017), the Hindi adaptation of the British television series Night Manager, and Siddharth Anand’s actioner Fighter. The adaptation of Night Manager will mark his foray into the digital world.
Deepika Padukone, on the other hand, too has several interesting projects on her platter. While she has already completed Dharma Productions next untitled film with director Shakun Batra and is currently busy with Yash Raj Films’ Pathan, her other projects include The Intern, Fighter, Draupadi and an untitled film with Telugu filmmaker Nag Ashwin, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhas.
Meanwhile, SS Rajamouli’s next after RRR is an African jungle adventure with Mahesh Babu, which will be written by KV Vijayendra Prasad. The film is expected to get off the ground in 2022. More details are awaited.
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.