Southern superstar Allu Arjun, who is still basking in the huge success of his recent release Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), has announced his next film on his 37th birthday today on 8th April.
Giving a special treat to his millions of fans on his birthday, the actor revealed that he is joining forces with filmmaker Sukumar for his next outing. The two have previously worked together on such successful movies as Arya (2004), Arya 2 (2009) and the short film I Am That Change (2014).
Apart from surprising his fans by announcing his next, the actor also shared the title and first look poster of the film. Titled Pushpa, the forthcoming project will star Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj. Popular actress Rashmika Mandanna has been roped in to essay the character of his love interest. Immensely talented actor Vijay Sethupathi will play the lead antagonist in the movie.
Director Sukumar last called the shots for blockbuster Rangasthalam (2018), which starred Allu Arjun’s superstar cousin Ram Charan in the lead role. Since his last directorial garnered thunderous response from various corners, the audience will expect him to create the same magic with Pushpa as well.
Before Pushpa, Allu Arjun will be seen in Icon. The team members of Icon took to social media to wish the actor on his birthday and also for signing a new film. Icon is being directed by Sriram Venu and produced by Raju.
Allu Arjun’s megastar uncle Chiranjeevi also took to social media and shared a childhood photograph of his nephew. Captioning the image, he wrote that Arjun had always been a graceful dancer.
Pushpa will hit the shooting floor once the nationwide lockdown is lifted. The makers will release the film in five languages, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada.
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.