Kollywood is one of the leading film producing industries in India, which has produced several notable films over the years. Just like Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema, Tamil cinema has also grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years. And if reports doing the rounds are to be believed, some of the prominent Tamil filmmakers have launched a new production company which will help the industry gain more prominence in times to come.
According to reports, filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Shankar have started a production company Rain on Films Private Limited. Vetrimaaran, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Lingusamy, Mysskin, Poo Sasi, Vasanth Balan, Lokesh Kanagaraj, Balaji Sakthivel, and AR Murugadoss are also partners of the new production banner, as per reports.
We hear that the production house has been registered officially. All filmmakers will be jointly producing a number of films and streaming shows under Rain on Films Private Limited.
The production house has been launched with an objective to provide a platform for engaging and innovative stories and where unique ideas of young talents will be encouraged and nurtured.
From what we hear filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for helming Kaithi (2019) and Master (2021), will be directing the first film to be made under Rain on Films. The cast and crew of the untitled project will be officially announced later.
Meanwhile, Mani Ratman is presently busy wrapping up his much-awaited film Ponniyin Selvan. The high-profile period drama features an ensemble 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.
Shankar, on the other hand, is set to team up with Ram Charan for an untitled film. He is also expected to wrap up his much-delayed film Indian 2 soon. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Kajal Agarwal, Siddharth, and Rakul Preet Singh in lead roles.
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.