Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari needs no introduction. The humongous success of his films Dangal (2016) and Chhichhore (2019) has established him as one of the most successful filmmakers of the present times.
Tiwari is presently working on his most ambitious project, Ramayana. The director says that though he feels privileged to get the opportunity to make a film on Ramayana, it is challenging to tell the mythological tale on celluloid.
For the uninitiated, Nitesh is planning a trilogy on the popular Indian epic. To be produced by Madhu Mantena, the film will be shot in 3D. The multilingual film will enter theatres in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
"Ramayana is magical. It is something that we have not seen from an Indian maker. It has got a lot of magical qualities to it and the kind of forest we had, you had animals talking to us, this was something which is wonderful and it allows you to have the potential to present beautifully on screen a world that you have not seen before,” says the filmmaker, adding, “It is prep heavy film. It is very tough but gratifying if you can get it right, as you have the technology to do it.”
The filmmaker says that the challenge is to make the trilogy in a way that it appeals to kids as well as older generation. "What makes it challenging that how do you tell a story to a six-year-old and retain the faith of 60-year-old. That is why it is taking time. You have to strike a balance. My nine-year-old kid has to find it exciting’ they are fans of Avengers. At the same time, it needs to be exciting for my mother-in-law at a level where she would be like, ‘I have not seen Ramayana in this form’. It is a big challenge."
He says that Ramayana will be an entertaining film without being preachy. "When I say entertain, I don't mean to make people chuckle or laugh because that kind of stuff is not there in 'Ramayana'. But execution is also entertaining. The ultimate aim is to keep them glued to their seats."
Ever since Nitesh Tiwari revealed his plans to make a trilogy film on Ramayana, a number of actors from Bollywood have been linked with the project. When asked about the casting, the director says, "Casting will be tough but we have not thought of it yet. There will be a lot of actors, maybe we will go for pan-India casting."
The film hits the shooting floor by the end of the year.
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.