There is no denying the fact that Pushpa: The Rise was one of the biggest blockbusters of Indian cinema in 2021. The Telugu-language film did not only fare phenomenally well down south, but it also surprised everyone with its thunderous performance in the Hindi belt where its dobbed version went on to rake in over ₹100 crores.
Before Pushpa: The Rise, the term “pan-India star” was mostly used for Baahubali star Prabhas, but the riotous success of the Sukumar directorial led to the rise of another pan-India star, Allu Arjun.
The makers of Pushpa: The Rise had planned the film as a duology from the onset. The work on the second installment of the film, which is titled Pushpa: The Rule, commenced months after the release of Pushpa: The Rise.
The latest we hear is that looking at his pan-India popularity, Allu Arjun is demanding a hefty paycheque of approximately ₹100 crores for Pushpa: The Rule. An online publication reports that the superstar has increased his fees for the sequel and has demanded ₹90 crores from the makers, which is double of what he received for the first installment of the franchise.
According to reports, Allu Arjun took home around ₹30-40 crores for Pushpa: The Rise. On the other hand, director Sukumar was paid approximately ₹18 crores for the first part. We also hear that not only Allu Arjun, but Sukumar has also demanded a hike in his remuneration. He is probably charging around ₹40 crores to helm the sequel.
Interestingly, the makers have no issues with their demands and have reportedly agreed to pay them what they are demanding. This has reportedly taken the budget of the film to ₹350 crores. But looking at how eagerly the audience is waiting for Pushpa: The Rule, we can expect the sequel to do massive business and leave every stakeholder in profit.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.