After filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty has also called SS Rajamouli’s epic action-drama RRR a ‘gay love story.’
Pookutty, who is known to have worked on a series of notable films over the years, also had a few words to say about Alia Bhatt, who was seen in an extended cameo in the film. He said that the Raazi actress was used as ‘a prop’ in the film.
Starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR in lead roles, RRR hit theatres on March 24. The film opened to positive reviews and set the box office on fire. It wrapped up its box office run by racking up over a thousand crores worldwide. Netflix recently revealed that the Hindi version of RRR has become "the most popular film from India" on the streaming platform globally.
Days after the release of RRR, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma labelled it as a gay film. Just like Varma, a faction of the Western audience also hinted at a gay relationship between the two lead characters of the film. And now, Resul Pookutty has also expressed his similar views. He was responding to Munish Bharadwaj's tweet where he called the film garbage.
This, however, has not gone down well with fans of RRR who have reacted angrily to Pookutty's comment and added that they didn’t expect such a response from an Oscar winner.
“Not expected this from an Oscar winner (sic),” wrote a user.
Another user tweeted, “There is no shame & harm even if it's that kind of story #LGBT. Did not expect such low comments from an Oscar award winner. Respect should be given to the profession irrespective of its language & even if it does not satisfy us (sic).”
There were some fans of the film who felt that his comment reeked of ‘jealousy’. One user wrote, “Sad he is behaving like a troll”.
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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.