In a family of four actors, there are a lot of “bittersweet moments” every year, says veteran star Nagarjuna, who is basking in the success of Brahmastra: Part One Shiva which comes a month after his son Naga Chaitanya’s Hindi debut Laal Singh Chaddha bombed at the box office.
As a father, Nagarjuna said he wished Laal Singh Chaddha, starring Aamir Khan in the title role, had also fared better. Asked about how the family reacted to the success of Brahmastra and the lackluster performance of Laal Singh Chaddha at the box office, the Telugu superstar said, “It is a bittersweet moment. I wish it had worked good. But it happens, it is an experience.”
Laal Singh Chaddha, the official Indian adaptation of the Hollywood classic Forrest Gump, was released on August 11. The movie performed poorly at the ticket window. Whereas Brahmastra, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, got off to a great start, raising over Rs 225 crore in worldwide gross box office numbers in the opening weekend. The Ayan Mukerji-helmed movie arrived in cinema halls on September 9.
On the day Brahmastra made its debut, Nagarjuna said his actor-wife Amala also returned to the movies with her Telugu feature Oke Oka Jeevitham.
“She did a film after a long time. It was about time travel and it did extremely well. So, there was rejoicing at home. In my family, there are four actors and every year we have bittersweet moments,” the 63-year-old actor added. Both the father and son duo made extended cameo appearances in Brahmastra and Laal Singh Chaddha, respectively.
In Brahmastra, Nagarjuna portrayed the role of an artist named Anish Shetty, who wields the ‘Nandi Astra’. Chaitanya played Balaraju ‘Bala’ Bodie, the best friend of Laal (Khan) in Laal Singh Chaddha. The superstar, who has been in the industry for 35 years, said he had cautioned Chaitanya that while a movie like Laal Singh Chaddha will not get him the recognition as a star, the audience will appreciate him as a performer.
“When Chai told me he was doing this ‘Forrest Gump’ remake, I told him don’t expect to be recognised as a star. This will show you as an actor. And Chai said, ‘I want to be known as an actor also,” Nagarjuna recalled.
As a family, the actor said they believe in celebrating cinema, irrespective of the fate of the movie. “We all cheer for each other. We all have a get together on the day of the release. Whatever happens we have dinner and we all toast to that movie. There is a bittersweet moment every year. Now, it is coming every six months,” he added.
The first installment of the Brahmastra trilogy also starred Amitabh Bachchan and Mouni Roy. Star Studios and Dharma Productions have backed the movie, which has been presented in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam languages by director S S Rajamouli.
(PTI)
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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.