A day after director Sanjana Reddy and producer Kona Venkat announced a biopic on Indian weightlifter Karnam Malleswari on the occasion of her 45th birthday, a source close to the project informs a leading publication that the makers are considering either Taapsee Pannu or Rakul Preet Singh to play the titular role in the film.
Though the makers are yet to approach both the actresses, it has been learned that they are planning to rope in one of them soon. Taapsee Pannu is most likely to bag the part, considering the fact that she is already doing a couple of sports films.
“Looking at the recent line-up of sports dramas Taapsee Pannu has been associated with, she appears to be the natural choice to reprise Malleswari’s role. The makers are also looking at approaching Rakul Preet Singh, who is always open to taking up fitness-based roles,” a source says.
The untitled film will be made in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. It will be jointly produced by Kona Venkat and MVV Satyanarayana. Venkat will also double up as the writer of the biopic. The final cast and crew will be announced soon. The makers are looking at beginning production in the first half of 2021.
“This film is going to be an inspiration to the present generation. A poor girl from a remote village in Srikakulam district won the Bronze medal for India in Olympics. That is definitely a big story to narrate,” Venkat had earlier said in an interview.
Malleswari is the first and only Indian woman weightlifter to win an Olympic medal. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she won the bronze medal and made India proud.
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.