Acclaimed Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s latest directorial venture RRR (2022) is unstoppable at the domestic box office in India. The film, which hit screens on March 25, opened to packed houses across the country and recorded a thunderous opening. It made a killing over the weekend and continued its fantastic run on its first Monday as well.
Apart from Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, the Hindi version of the mega-budgeted film is also performing extremely well. On Monday, it racked up approximately £1,709,080, which is indeed great keeping in mind the fact that a large section of the audience is still not flocking to cinemas.
Well-known trade analyst and film critic Taran Adarsh took to social media to announce that the Hindi version of RRR minted approximately £1,709,080 on Monday, taking its four-day collection to approximately £1,960,065.
RRR has also become the top earner on a Monday ‘post-pandemic’, Adarsh wrote in another tweet. According to him, the film has grossed approximately £50,305,618 worldwide, becoming the first Indian film to achieve this feat in such a short span of time. The film is expected to shatter several other box-office records in days to come.
Starring NTR Jr, Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, and Alia Bhatt, RRR is a fictional take on the younger days of celebrated freedom fighters, Komaram Bheem and Alluri Seetharama Raju, played by NTR Jr. and Ram Charan respectively. The film also features Samuthirakani, Olivia Morris, Alison Doody, and Ray Stevenson in important roles.
RRR began its principal photography in 2018 and the makers were eyeing a release date in 2020. However, the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 derailed their plans as all shooting activities came to a grinding halt to contain the spread of the virus. After facing several delays in release, it finally found its way into theatres on March 25, 2022.
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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.