Maddock Films, which entered the digital space with the recently released show Chutzpah (2021), has now roped in popular actress Tamannaah for their next streaming show. Titled Yaar Dost, the upcoming show also features Aashim Gulati, Anya Singh, and Hussain Dalal in important roles.
Arunima Sharma has been signed to direct the slice-of-life drama about friendship. It has been written by Abbas Dalal and Hussain Dalal. Once ready the show will premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
Tamannaah, who is best known for playing the role of Avanthika in SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017), will reportedly have an authored backed role in the project. She is set to begin the shoot for the same later this month in Mumbai. The actress was recently spotted outside Maddock Films’ office, fuelling speculations in the media about a possible collaboration between the two.
Tamannaah had tested positive for coronavirus last year. As soon as she beat the virus, she returned to work and shot for various projects. She was most recently seen in Disney+ Hotstar’s series November Story (2021), which marked her digital debut.
In addition to Yari Dosti, Tamannaah has several interesting projects in her pocket. Some of her upcoming Telugu films include Maestro, F3, Seetimaarr, and Gurthunda Seethakalam. Maestro is the official remake of the award-winning Hindi film Andhadhun. She essays the same role in the remake that Tabu played in the original. The actress will also be seen in Bole Chudiyan in Hindi. The film also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role.
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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.