The riotous success of filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) paved the way for regional actors to burst onto the national scene and expand their reach in regions where earlier only Bollywood stars enjoyed great presence.
After the colossal success of the aforementioned films, Prabhas became a national phenomenon. His popularity in Hindi belts skyrocketed to the level that today his films generate as much noise and excitement in these territories as any other Bollywood stars’ offerings.
Last seen in Saaho (2019), a big-ticket action entertainer, Prabhas is currently busy with his next film. Tentatively titled Jaan, the project is being helmed by Radhakrishna Kumar and also features Pooja Hegde in the lead role.
Though nothing much is known about the plotline of Jaan, sources reveal that the film features the superstar in a dual role and one of his character will be a palmist. Just like Saaho, Jaan is also a multilingual offering set to enter cinemas in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
The actor recently signed filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s next film. The project, which still remains untitled, is said to have an interesting twist. According to a leading entertainment magazine, the forthcoming film is expected to be a sci-fi venture and will be about time travel.
The report adds further that Prabhas will start shooting for the upcoming film towards the end of the year, after wrapping up his ongoing project Jaan with Pooja Hegde. His next will be shot extensively in Europe. The film will be bankrolled by Vyjayanthi Entertainment.
Keep visiting this space for more updates on Prabhas’ upcoming projects.
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.