Suriya is set to join forces with celebrated filmmaker Bala one more time, the actor announced on Thursday after much speculation. News about the two coming together for their hat-trick film first emerged in 2019. Now, the actor himself has officially announced that he is headlining Bala’s next directorial venture.
Sharing a picture with his father Sivakumar and director Bala, Suriya tweeted in Tamil, which translates to, “He who has more faith in me than me. He is the one who introduced me to a new world and gave me an identity. 20 years later, I stand before him again with the same enthusiasm. With my father’s blessings, a beautiful journey again with my brother. I seek everyone’s love and support.”
Suriya, best known for his work in Tamil cinema, first collaborated with Bala 20 years ago on Nanda (2001). Also featuring Laila in the lead role, the action-drama film hit a home run at the box office. In 2003, the duo joined hands for Pithamagan, which also featured Chiyaan Vikram in a lead role along with Suriya. This film also managed to meet audiences’ expectations and emerged as a huge money-spinner at the ticket window. The film has earned a huge fan following over the years.
Suriya also appeared in a cameo in Bala’s 2011 film Avan Ivan, which had Vishal and Arya in starring roles. Recently, the National Film Award-winning filmmaker directed Suriya’s wife Jyotika in Naachiyaar (2018).
Meanwhile, Suriya is looking forward to the release of his next film Jai Bhim. Directed by T. J. Gnanavel and produced by Suriya himself under the banner of 2D Entertainment, the legal drama is slated to start streaming on 2nd November on Amazon Prime Video.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.