Acclaimed filmmaker SS Rajamouli, who is riding high on the global success of his last film RRR (2022), has spilled beans on his next directorial venture, which features Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu in the lead role.
The award-winning filmmaker is currently in Canada for the Toronto International Film Festival where he shared some exciting updates on his next project with Mahesh Babu. Speaking about the same at the TIFF, he said, “My next film with Mahesh Babu will be a globetrotting action adventure. It’s going to be a kind of James Bond or Indiana Jones film with Indian roots!”
Mahesh Babu also opened up about teaming up with the maverick filmmaker. Calling it a dream, he said, “It’s a dream come true for me to work with him. Doing one film with Rajamouli Garu is like taking up 25 films at once. It is going to be physically demanding and I am really excited about it. It is going to be a pan-India film. I hope we break many barriers and take our work to audiences across the country.”
A video of the filmmaker at TIIF has gone viral on social media. It shows the crowd cheering and hooting for the filmmaker as he walks up on the stage.
As per reports, Rajamouli will soon be heading to the US for a major in-person retrospective, which can also raise Oscar hopes for his film RRR. Titled “From Tollywood to Hollywood: The Spectacle & Majesty of S.S. Rajamouli”, the programme is part of the 10th edition of L.A.’s Beyond Fest. According to reports, seven of Rajamouli’s films will be showcased at the festival, followed by a Q&A with him.
Meanwhile, Mahesh Babu is currently working on his 28th film with filmmaker Trivikram, co-starring Pooja Hegde.
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.