Shruti Haasan, who was most recently seen in the Tamil film Laabam (2021), has added one more exciting project to her upcoming line-up. The actress has joined the cast of filmmaker Gopichand Malineni’s next directorial venture where she plays the female lead opposite actor Balakrishna.
This will mark Haasan’s third film with Malineni. The duo has earlier work together on such films as Balupu (2013) and Krack (2021).
The director took to social media to announce Haasan’s casting in his next venture. “We are back for the third time again. On our way to make our hat-trick together. Happy to welcome our glamorous diva Shruti Haasan onboard for #NBK107 with #NBK gaaru. We are starting our shoot very soon,” the director shared on social media.
The yet to be titled film is expected to get off the ground next month after Balakrishna recovers from his shoulder injury for which he underwent surgery recently. If reports are to be believed, Balakrishna will appear in a never-seen-before avatar in the film. His look is said to be one of the major highlights of the film.
Meanwhile, Shruti Haasan is presently busy with her much-awaited film Salaar. Directed by Prashanth Neel, the film also features Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) star Prabhas as the male lead. Shot simultaneously in Kannada and Telugu languages, the action thriller will be dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. It is scheduled to hit the marquee on April 14, 2022.
If reports are to be believed, the actress also headlines an upcoming streaming show for Amazon Prime Video. It is being made in Hindi. More details on this project are yet to be announced.
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.