Starring Prabhas and Shraddha Kapoor in lead roles, Saaho is undoubtedly one of the biggest films Indian cinema has ever produced. Made on a massive budget of ₹ 300 crores, the action entertainer has been consistently in news even before mounting the shooting floor. Prabhas will be seen on the silver screen for the first time after Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) and that is enough to pique the interest of the audience.
Saaho is an action thriller that promises to offer some never-seen-before action sequences. The trailer of the much-awaited movie was unveiled recently, which garnered unprecedented response from the audience. Directed by Sujeeth, the film is made in several languages and is expected to open big upon its release on 30th August, 2019.
Now, as per fresh reports, the film has already recovered its production cost. Reportedly, theatrical rights of Saaho in all language have been sold for a whopping ₹ 300 crores. This figure does not include the satellite and digital rights of the film, which have not been sold yet. It looks like Saaho has already emerged as a profitable venture for the makers even before its theatrical release.
Meanwhile, Shraddha Kapoor, who is making her South debut with Saaho, is quite excited about working with Prabhas. Praising the actor, she says, "He is one of the nicest, sweetest, loveliest people I have come across. He has a very kind heart and he took care of me and my team like we were at home on set. Same for our producers. They always made me feel like I am a part of the UV family and I always felt at home when I was in Hyderabad.”
Saaho arrives in cinemas on 30th August, 2019.
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.