Malayalam superstar Mammootty on Monday joined the cast of the forthcoming Telugu film Agent. Mounted on a huge scale, the spy-thriller stars Akhil Akkineni in the lead role.
Directed by Surender Reddy, the upcoming film is produced by AK Entertainments and Surender 2 Cinema.
The official Twitter account of AK Entertainments shared a poster featuring the 70-year-old actor, who reportedly plays a military officer in the film.
“A stalwart of Indian cinema who paved his own path with discipline and dedication. Megastar Mammootty joins the shoot of Agent. Can't wait to witness the magic on sets," the tweet read.
Agent, first announced in 2020, kick-started its production last year.
Mammootty can be currently seen in his latest release, a Malayalam action thriller Bheeshma Parvam (2021). The film has been doing phenomenal business ever since entering cinemas on March 3, 2021. It has broken several box office records within a week of its theatrical release.
The cast and crew of Agent congratulated the actor on the huge success of Bheeshma Parvam with a sweet gesture and shared a heart-warming clip of it on social media. The short clip began with the actor getting out of his car, after which he was felicitated with a bouquet of red roses. He was then presented with a cake, on which one could see Mammootty's character from Bheeshma Parvam. The cake read, “Bheeshma Parvam success”.
Apart from Agent, the actor will also be seen in Puzhu and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, which will be directed by Jallikattu helmer Lijo Jose Pellissery.
Agent has music by Hip Hop Thamizha, cinematography by Ragul Herian Dharuman, editing by Naveen Nooli, and art direction by Avinash Kolla.
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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.