Telugu superstar Prabhas, who became a national phenomenon after the riotous success of his films Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017), was gearing up to release his next film, tentatively titled Jaan, on Makar Sankranti in January 2021.
However, with the US schedule of the much-anticipated film coming to a halt in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is not possible for the makers to wrap up the movie on time and release it on Makar Sankranti 2021. As things stand at the moment, it seems highly impossible to meet the release deadline.
The delay in the shooting of Jaan is going to affect his next film as well. The actor recently signed on to headline filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s next directorial offering. Set to be made in Hindi and Telugu, the movie was supposed to go before cameras in late 2020. But due to the Coronavirus outbreak and stoppage of all production activities, the shooting schedule of almost all films across industries is going to suffer and Prabhas’ next is not an exception.
“Prabhas will first finish shooting Jaan and then move on to Nag Ashwin’s film. There is a long incomplete schedule of Jaan to be finished in the US before Prabhas moves on to his next. The location of the US schedule cannot be shifted for reasons of continuity. As things stand at the moment, Jaan will now release towards the middle of 2021 and Nag Ashwin’s film in 2022,” a source close to the development tells a publication.
Prabhas was last seen in the multilingual action entertainer Saaho (2019). Also starring Shraddha Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh in key characters, the Sujeeth directorial received poor critical response from critics but went on to do exceptional business at the ticket window.
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.