Filmmaker Mani Ratnam, whose filmography includes a number of award-winning films including Roja, Bombay, and Dil Se, is presently gearing up for the release of his next directorial venture Ponniyin Selvan 1, starring Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prabhu, R Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman, and R Parthiban in prominent roles.
The trailer of the magnum opus, which is primarily shot in Tamil but dubbed in several popular Indian languages including Hindi, has received a thunderous response from the audience and everyone is now waiting for the theatrical release of the film to see if it manages to meet the high expectations of the audience.
Meanwhile, some people have started comparing Ponniyin Selvan to the globally successful HBO series Game of Thrones. They are calling it ‘Tamil Game of Thrones.’ Ratnam, however, begs to differ and humorously says, “I think Game of Thrones is the English version of Ponniyin Selvan – I.”
For those not in the know, Ponniyin Selvan is based on writer Kalki Krishnamurthy’s cult five-volume novel of the same name. Ratman will release the film in two parts. While the first part of the film is scheduled to release on September 30, the second part is expected to land in cinemas next year. The filmmaker shot both parts in one stretch.
When asked why he did not wait for the audience’s response to the first part before shooting the second, Ratnam said, “If I had stopped to get all of them back, it would have been impossible. And two, we didn’t look at it as two films but as one story. It was a six-hour film and we tried to do it in one stretch. It was not very difficult.”
An AR Rahman musical, Ponniyin Selvan 1 is due in cinemas on September 30, 2022.
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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.