Aftab Shivdasani has been working in Bollywood for more than two decades now. At the beginning of his career, the audience would see him in back-to-back films. But now, the actor keeps taking small breaks between projects. Last seen in the 2019 film Setters, Shivdasani is now waiting for the premiere of his web series Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story, set to premiere on 12th November on Disney+ Hotstar.
Talking to an entertainment portal, the actor said, “I like to do quality work, and never really believed in quantity. The kind of offers that I was getting were not up to the standards of what I want to do for myself. So, I just decided to do stuff that excites me. Hence the wait, and it has been worth it because I always wanted to work with Neeraj Sir. Then to be part of a show like this which has got so many accolades and equity, it was perfect. I have always believed in doing quality stuff, and have never really believed in just jumping at the first offer that would come to me. I mean, I would if the offer was exciting, and I am not saying that I am flooded with offers, but the stuff that I was offered didn't kind of match the things I wanted to do for myself.”
He added that he is grateful to have worked in different genres, from comedy to romance and thriller to horrors. “Thrillers, horrors and action really excite me, but a lot of people, unfortunately, have bracketed me in comic space or the romantic space, which is also alright. But because I have grown, I would like to do stuff that befits my personality, age and everything right now. Thankfully I have a young face. People always say, ‘You will always be a chocolate boy’. So that kind of works for me as well,” he concludes.
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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.