Abhimanyu Dassani is currently busy garnering praises for his performance in Netflix’s Meenakshi Sundareshwar. The film, which also stars Sanya Malhota, talks about a long-distance marriage.
Eastern Eye recently interacted with Dassani and when we asked him how his mother Bhaghyashree reacted after watching the film, the actor said, “She was very happy when she saw the film and she is even happier because this has opened the flood gates of the marriage conversation. But, I think that’s a part of the job. I am just happy that she is proud of the effort of everyone that made the film and she is happy with the way it’s tuned out.”
While Meenakshi Sundareshwar is getting a positive response from the viewers, there’s a section of people who are not much happy with the film as they feel that South Indians are shown in a stereotypical way and they are also not happy with the accent of the actors in the movie.
So, when we asked Dassani about it, he said, “At any point of life, no matter what you do, you can’t make everyone happy. There will always be someone who will point out that something is not right with the way you do things or the way you say things or the way you create things. If in life we can’t make everyone happy then why put that responsibility on to a film to make everybody happy. The point is that the whole team had a very pure, clear and passionate intention behind this film and I believe to the best of our abilities we have approached it very honestly, and we have put in the effort.”
When we asked Dassani if he believes in a long-distance relationship, the actor said, “I have been in a long-distance relationship and it was good while it lasted. It’s definitely special; if there are 100 reasons to not get along, there are 1000 ways to make it up to your partner, and if you have the right kind of intention, patience, and ability to communicate honestly, then I think it can be a really special journey. Have you heard that, ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’, I truly believe in that.”
Dassani will next be seen in movies like Nikamma and Aankh Micholi.
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.