By: Mohnish Singh
Starring Vikram, Karthi, Jayaram, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Trisha in principal roles, Ponniyin Selvan is one of the most anticipated Tamil films. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratnam, the magnum-opus has been creating great buzz ever since its official announcement.
According to fresh reports, Ratnam has made some changes in the next shooting schedule of Ponniyin Selvan, which was set to take place in Madhya Pradesh, India. Since the second wave of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has hit several north Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, the filmmaker has decided against shooting his film in the state.
The next schedule of the high-profile film will now either take place in Chennai or Hyderabad, as per reports. The team will kick-start the next schedule once all arrangements are in place.
Actor Karthi, who plays a pivotal part in Ponniyin Selvan, recently confirmed that the team has completed 70% of the shooting. With only 30% shooting pending, we assume that the film might find its way to theatres towards the end of the year.
Ponniyin Selvan, which is being made on a huge budget of 5000 million, is an adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy's 1955 novel of the same name. The film went on floors in Thailand. Some portions of the film have also been shot in a set built in a private city in Hyderabad.
Apart from direction, Mani Ratman is also the co-producer of the big-ticket film. He is bankrolling the project under Madras Talkies in association with Lyca Productions. Academy Award-winner AR Rahman is composing music.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.