Actor Rashmika Mandanna, who is known for her work in Telugu films, has joined Ranbir Kapoor on the cast of the much-anticipated Bollywood film Animal, the makers announced on Saturday.
The Hindi-language crime drama is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga of Kabir Singh (2019) fame and produced by Bhushan Kumar under the banner of T-Series Films.
T-series Films took to Twitter to announce the entry of Mandanna in the film. “On the auspicious occasion of Ugadi & Gudi Padwa, we welcome Rashmika Mandanna to the team of Animal! Shooting begins this summer,” the tweet read.
Mandanna has been a part of several successful Telugu films before. She is best known for her performances in such box office hits as Geetha Govindam, Devadas, Yajamana, and Dear Comrade.
The actress was last seen in the pan-India film Pushpa: The Rise (2021), which turned out to be a major success across India. The audience liked her pairing opposite Icon star Allu Arjun.
The actress is set to make her Bollywood debut with the spy thriller Mission Majnu, opposite Sidharth Malhotra. She will also be seen in another Hindi film Goodbye, alongside megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
Animal, which is expected to go before cameras this summer, also features Anil Kapoor and Bobbly Deol in lead roles. The film is slated to release on August 11, 2023.
Animal is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar's T-Series Films, Murad Khetani's Cine1 Studios, and Pranay Reddy Vanga's Bhadrakali Pictures.
Earlier, actor Parineeti Chopra was cast in the film, but according to media reports, she had to opt out of Animal because of a scheduling conflict.
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.