After the humongous success of RRR (2022), maverick Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli is gearing up to commence work on his next directorial venture, which still remains untitled.
Earlier, the filmmaker signed Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu to play the male lead in the high-profile venture. And if fresh reports are to be believed, Rajamouli has now roped in the reigning queen of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone, to play the female lead opposite Mahesh Babu.
Though there is no official word to confirm the development, several media outlets are reporting that the Padmaavat (2018) actress has signed the project on the dotted line.
Tentatively titled SSMB29, the forthcoming film has been written by Rajamouli’s father K.V. Vijayendra Prasad. It is said to be inspired by some real-life events and the makers are planning to mount it on a lavish scale.
Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone is currently busy filming another pan-India film, which stars her alongside Baahubali star Prabhas. Tentatively titled Project K, the film also features megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal part. Nag Ashwin, known for helming the National Award-winning film Mahanati (2018), is calling the shots.
In addition to Project K, Padukone has a number of high-profile films at various stages of development, including Pathaan, Fighter, and The Intern. Her next release Pathaan, directed by Siddharth Anand, reunites her with superstar Shah Rukh Khan after a huge gap of eight years as the duo was last seen together in Farah Khan’s heist drama Happy New Year in 2014. The action thriller film also has John Abraham in a significant role.
Fighter, helmed by Siddharth Anand, will mark her maiden collaboration with Hrithik Roshan. The film also features evergreen Anil Kapoor in an important role. The Intern, on the other hand, is the official remake of the Hollywood film of the same name. It co-stars Amitabh Bachchan alongside Padukone.
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.