By: Mohnish Singh
Speculation is running rampant in the tinsel town of Tollywood that Baahubali star Prabhas is set to join forces with hit filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj for a high-profile multilingual project.
According to fresh reports, the yet-to-be-titled project will be an out-and-out action entertainer. The pan-India film will be made in multiple languages, including Tamil and Telugu.
Spilling some more beans, a source in the know tells a leading Indian publication, “Lokesh was in Hyderabad a few months ago to promote his Vijay-starrer Master (2021), and that is when he met Prabhas. It was a casual meeting, and the director narrated a story to Prabhas, which he really liked. The two have kept in touch since then, and have decided to work on this film next after they complete their respective projects. An official announcement will be made much later this year.”
Meanwhile, Lokesh Kanagaraj is gearing up to commence the next schedule of his upcoming directorial offering Vikram, which stars award-winning actor Kamal Haasan in the lead role. The action-thriller went on floors in late October 2020 and the makers unveiled the title teaser of the film on November 7, 2020, coinciding with Haasan’s 66th birthday.
Prabhas, on the other hand, has multiple projects on his platter right now. He is currently waiting for the release of Radha Krishnakumar’s romantic drama Radhe Shyam, co-starring Pooja Hegde. Om Raut’s Adipurush and Prashanth Neel’s Salaar are two of his much-anticipated films which are currently in production.
In the second half of 2021, Prabhas is expected to join the sets of Nag Ashwin’s much-talked-about sci-fi film. The untitled film also stars Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone in lead roles. Padukone will make her Tollywood debut with the upcoming film.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.