By: Mohnish Singh
Abhishek Bachchan, who completes two decades in showbiz in 2020, is one of the most underrated actors working in Bollywood. Ever since making his acting debut with the JP Dutta-directed Refugee (2000), he has witnessed several ups and downs in his professional life and has always managed to bounce back with even more maturity.
In 2020, Junior Bachchan made his digital debut with Amazon Prime Video’s much-talked-about show Breathe: Into the Shadows and won rave reviews from all quarters. He is now gearing up for the release of his much-awaited film Ludo (2020), directed by filmmaker Anurag Basu.
In his recent interview, Abhishek Bachchan says that he is enjoying playing a series of well-defined characters in his new projects and that he likes flawed characters a lot. “I am definitely looking for characters. It is not about being in the same headspace but I am definitely enjoying the process. The last four projects I did – starting with Manmarziyan (2018) and then Breathe, now Ludo and (The) Big Bull, which I am currently shooting – I am enjoying the process of creating and inhabiting that character. I am into this phase now and am sure after this is done, I would like to move on to something else, and get on to that. I am enjoying films where I am getting to play well-defined characters which are not necessarily black or white; they are in the grey shade and I enjoy that. I like flawed characters.”
Bachchan adds the best way to survive Bollywood is not to take yourself too seriously, “In the profession I am in, you need to have that ability to laugh at yourself, give it your best. It would be terrible if you take yourself too seriously because there are many here who are taking you seriously, so it is important you have a sense of humour about yourself and take things in your stride.”
Also starring Pankaj Tripathi, Rajkummar Rao, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Asha Negi in important characters, Ludo is scheduled to premiere on 12th November on Netflix.
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.