Rana Daggubati, who shot to global fame after delivering power-packed performances in SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017), was psyched up about starring in yet another Telugu magnum opus Hiranyakashyap. However, as things stand today, the high-profile project has been put on hold.
Hiranyakashyap was officially announced nearly three years ago. However, the film kept facing delays due to various issues. Filmmaker Gunasekhar on Friday confirmed that the much-awaited project is not going to take off immediately due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Gunasekhar took to Twitter to make the announcement. “Amidst this global pandemic, despite Hiranyakashyap pre-production work completed, the massive scale shoot will take off later than anticipated. In the meantime, I have embarked on another film,” read his tweet.
Speculations were rife last year that the makers had decided to shelve Hiranyakashyap. However, Rana Daggubati clarified in an interview that the project would go before cameras from mid-2020.
“There is no delay; it is just that we are using the latest technology available. We are building virtual reality sets, along with rendered visuals as seen in (video) games, which will allow us to watch the film digitally even before we start shooting. This is probably the first time it is happening in India. We are collaborating with a 3D scanning company, which specializes in medical technology. We realised that their scans were better than what was being done in (studios in) Los Angeles. Since there is a lot of groundwork to be done, the film will roll in another eight months,” the actor had said.
Talking about his other upcoming projects, the beefy actor has his platter full with several high-profile projects across languages, including Kaadan, Aranya, Haathi Mere Saathi, Madai Thiranthu, 1945, and Virat Parvam.
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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.