Celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratnam has resumed production on his much-awaited film Ponniyin Selvan. The team had taken a brief break from the shoot due to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent restrictions imposed by the government. They are currently shooting in Pondicherry and will soon head to Hyderabad for the next schedule.
Based on a historical fiction novel of the same name, Ponniyin Selvan features a galaxy of stars on its cast, including Vikram, Karthi, Jayaram, Trisha, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, and Aishwarya Lekshmi in prominent roles, and Prabhu, Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu, and Sobhita Dhulipala in supporting roles.
Sharing more details on the shooting schedule, a source in the know informs an Indian publication, “Most of the cast, including Karthi and Rahman, will be part of the Pondicherry schedule. Vikram and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are expected to join the team in Hyderabad, where a huge period set has been erected inside a studio. The film is 70 per cent complete, and the idea is to wrap up the shoot with this schedule in Hyderabad.”
On Monday, the makers of Ponniyin Selvan unveiled the new official poster of the first part of the series. Speculations were rife lately that the makers were planning to make Ponniyin Selvan as a series and the launch of the new poster last evening just confirmed that. “While the first poster said that the film was titled Ponniyin Selvan, the new one refers to the film as PS — I (Ponniyin Selvan Part: One). Kalki’s original work was published as a five-part novel and Mani Ratnam wants to do full justice to it,” the source adds.
Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman is onboard to score music for the period drama while Ravi Varman cranks the camera. Originally made in Tamil, the film will simultaneously release in other popular Indian languages also, including Hindi and Telugu. The first part is set to enter theatres in 2022.
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.