Starring superstar Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh in lead roles, De De Pyaar De (2019) has turned out to be a huge hit at the box-office. Released on 17th May, the Akiv Ali directorial is still running successfully in several theatres across India and is expected to cross the coveted ₹ 100 crore club soon.
While De De Pyaar De is still in cinemas, we hear that the film is set to get a Telugu remake. Yes, you heard that absolutely right! According to reports, well-known South Indian producer Suresh Babu has acquired the remake rights of De De Pyaar De. He will be taking the project on the floors soon.
Southern superstar Venkatesh, who was last seen in romantic and comedy entertainer F2 Fun and Frustration (2019) with Tamannaah Bhatia, will topline the Telugu remake. He will play the same role which superstar Ajay Devgn played in the original film.
Talking to media on the occasion of his banner Suresh Productions clocking 55 years in showbiz, producer Suresh Babu revealed the slate of his upcoming films. “Presently, we are shooting Venky Mama in Kashmir. The pre-production of Hiranyakashyapa (starring Rana Daggubati) has been going on for almost three years and probably it will be India’s biggest film. We are also trying to make much more content than before. There will be more films coming from the Suresh Productions banner. We are also starting to make films in Tamil and Hindi. We have acquired the remake rights of De De Pyaar De. We have also planned films with directors Tharun Bhascker and Trinadha Rao Nakkina. These will have Venkatesh in the lead role. De De Pyaar De remake too will star Venkatesh.”
Buzz also has it that apart from De De Pyaar De, Suresh Babu has also acquired the remake rights of Luv Ranjan’s another blockbuster film, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018).
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.