Raveena Tandon, one of the leading ladies from the 90s, is on cloud nine ever since her recent film KGF: Chapter 2(2022) toppled a series of records at the box office and emerged as one of the most successful commercial films ever produced by Indian cinema.
Also featuring Kannada superstar Yash and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles, the period action film did not only set the cash registers jingling but also started a debate about south films taking over Bollywood in terms of storytelling, presentation, reach, and, of course, earnings.
Before KGF: Chapter 2, SS Rajamouli’s RRR (2022) and Sukumar’s Pushpa: The Rise (2021) set the box office on fire. Both films fared really well not only in Telugu-speaking territories but also in the Hindi belt, outperforming every Hindi film that released alongside. The audience, that got a lot more exposed to South Indian cinema during the lockdown, was quick to form the opinion that south films are getting everything right, while Bollywood has failed to live up to their expectations.
Commenting on the debate, Tandon says, “I don’t think so, it’s just a phase in every industry. In the south also, they try to make different kinds of films, and the same goes for our Mumbai industry. You hear about every Hindi film that has released, but you don’t hear about every south film that has released. You hear only about the super successful south films; you don’t hear of every Friday when one south film must be releasing. We don’t know the fate of the film.”
Calling the chatter about what is right and wrong with which industry ‘overhyped,’ the National Film Award-winning actress adds, “Everything is right till it just goes right. We are aware of every Hindi film is my logic. Our ratio of counting success or a flop is that. Even KGF and RRR are ballpark figures. When you compare two Hindi films’ business only, our films have also done that well. Maybe one-two other Hindi films will become super-duper hits, there’s no comparison, there’s no competition.”
She concludes with a powerful statement, “Let’s first count it as an Indian film. If our audiences are pan-India, then what’s the North, South, East-West divide?”
On the work front, Raveena Tandon will next be seen in the second season of her Netflix show Aranyak and T-Series Films’ next Ghudchadhi alongside Sanjay Dutt.
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.