In a recent interview, Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi, who is presently gearing up for the release of her forthcoming film Double XL, took a potshot at people’s obsession with size zero. She said that an actress is ‘a lot more than just a size zero.’
During the interview when Qureshi was asked to share her message for ‘girls who think size zero is the way to enter films,’ she immediately responded, “Not at all! If this film (Double XL), our careers, or many other women before or after us are anything to go by, it is not. It is your talent and hard work. If you want to be a Hindi film actress, there is a lot more than being just size zero.”
The actress has time and again emphasised that she is comfortable with her body and the way she looks. “Look at Meena Kumari and Madhubala. Did they worry about weight issues? I follow the old school of acting where your craft is more important than your weight. I'd like to applaud Vidya Balan for not succumbing to the trend of size zero,” she had earlier said in an interview with another publication. “Yes, we may have certain ideas or notions about size zero and all. But today there are so many female actors who are curvier and they all are doing very well for themselves. And I believe that it's high time we started looking at individual beautiful people rather than fit them into the same box.”
Meanwhile, Huma Qureshi’s film Double XL is a humourous take on body image issues and body shaming. In addition to her, the Satramm Ramani directorial also stars Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal. It also features cricketer Shikhar Dhawan in a cameo.
Double XL is slated to enter theatres on November 4, 2022.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.