Valimai starring Ajith Kumar in the lead role is one of the most-awaited Tamil films of the year. The movie also stars Huma Qureshi and Kartikeya Gummakonda in pivotal roles.
On Tuesday (21), Kartikeya celebrates his 29th birthday, so the makers of Valimai have unveiled his first look poster. Boney Kapoor, who is producing the film, tweeted, “Team #Valimai wishes a very Happy Birthday to talented @ActorKartikeya . Stay blessed always. #AjithKumar @BoneyKapoor #HVinoth @thisisysr @BayViewProjOffl @ZeeStudios_ @SureshChandraa @DoneChannel1 @SonyMusicSouth #HBDKartikeya #HappyBirthdayKartikeya #Kartikeya.”
Kartikeya will be seen playing the main antagonist in the film which is directed by H. Vinoth. Valimai will mark his Tamil debut.
He started his acting journey with the Telugu film Prematho Mee Karthik (2017) but rose to fame with the 2018 release RX 100. Later, he featured in movies Hippi, Guna 369, Gang Leader, and 90ML.
RX 100 is being remade in Hindi as Tadap. Directed by Milan Luthria, the movie stars Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan Shetty, and Tara Sutaria in the lead roles.
Talking about other films of Kartikeya, the actor will be seen in a movie titled Raja Vikramarka. The teaser of the movie was released a few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, fans of Ajith Kumar are super excited for Valimai. The first song of the movie was released last month and it has received a great response.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.