By: Mohnish Singh
Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) changed the way the world looked at Indian cinema. Its riotous success catapulted Prabhas and Rana Daggubati to global fame and established SS Rajamouli as one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the world.
Apart from Prabhas and Rana Daggubati, one actor we cannot imagine the world of Baahubali without is Ramya Krishnan, who played the iconic character of Sivagami and received widespread acclaim for her power-packed performance in the franchise.
Right after the grand success of Baahubali: The Conclusion in 2017, leading streaming media giant Netflix announced its plans to bankroll a prequel to Baahubali: The Beginning, tracing the life and unprecedented rise of Sivagami as the royal queen of Mahishmati. Mrunal Thakur of Super 30 (2019) fame came onboard to play the young Sivagami in the high-profile project.
Shooting for the Netflix project had begun but the project got scrapped mid-way. “The makers were not happy with the way the film was shaping up. They shot almost 70% of the film and decided to scrap it completely as they did not want to compromise on the quality," a source in the know informs a publication.
The latest we hear that Netflix is now putting the whole project back together with a new cast. If reports are to be believed, popular Punjabi actress Wamiqa Gabbi has been roped in to replace Mrunal Thakur as Sivagami.
"Mrunal does not have any more dates to shoot the whole thing again. So, the team have now got Punjabi actress Wamiqa Gabbi who also played a few smaller parts in Hindi films like Jab We Met (2007), Mausam (2011) and Love Aaj Kal (2009). They have already chalked out a plan and the series will be in place by the year-end,” concludes the source.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.