Remakes of successful South Indian movies have always been in high demand in Bollywood. If sources are to be believed, there are more than half a dozen remakes which are at various stages of development in Hindi cinema.
The latest we hear that the Vijay starrer superhit Tamil film Theri (2016) is also gearing up for a remake in Hindi. Reportedly, Varun Dhawan may come onboard to play the male lead in the forthcoming remake.
The original film was directed by successful Tamil filmmaker Atlee. However, there is no update on who will helm the Hindi adaptation of the film.
Released in 2016, Theri emerged as one of the highest grossing movies of the year. It featured Thalapathy Vijay in the role of an undercover cop who works as a baker while on a ghost protocol mission. Apart from setting the box-office on fire with its collections, Theri went on to garner many awards also.
After the grand success in Tamil language, Theri was set for a remake in Telugu with actor Ravi Teja stepping into the shoes of superstar Vijay. However, the project is yet to begin production as all shooting activities have come to a grinding halt due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, Varun Dhawan is currently awaiting the release of his much-awaited film Coolie No. 1. The comic-caper is an official remake of the 1995 blockbuster of the same name and features Sara Ali Khan as the female lead.
After the release of Coolie No. 1, Dhawan will team up with acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan for a biopic on Arun Khetarpal. He is in talks for several other projects as well, details of which are expected to arrive after the lockdown is over.
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.