Rumours were doing the rounds lately that popular actress Kareena Kapoor Khan was in contention to play the lead role of Sita in the much-awaited multilingual magnum-opus Sita: The Incarnation.
However, veteran writer KV Vijayendra Prasad who is writing the epic drama, told a leading digital publication that the team will soon announce a name for the important character. “We have not yet finalised who will play Sitamaa’s character. We will shortly announce a name,” he told the publication.
When the news of Khan being approached for the role of Sita hit the headlines, the makers faced severe backlash from netizens. On the other hand, some media outlets reported that the actress may not come onboard as the makers cannot afford her whopping remuneration. But when Prasad was asked if there was any truth to these stories, he denied it, saying, “No, no, no.”
The report further stated that the makers are looking at roping in a fresh face as Sita. “When Deepika Chikhlia played Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s serial Ramayan, the audiences were not familiar with her face. They willingly accepted her as Sita,” says a source.
To be directed by Alaukik Desai, Sita: The Incarnation is set to be mounted on a huge scale. According to the makers, the film will take audiences on a VFX based journey of “India’s mythological magnum opus.”
While Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) writer KV Vijayendra Prasad is on board to pen the story and screenplay, along with Desai, Manoj Muntashir has been hired to write the film’s dialogues and lyrics.
Human Being Studio is bankrolling the project and the plan is to release it in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. More details are expected to arrive soon.
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 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.