Akanksha Puri, who shot to fame after playing the role of Goddess Parvati on Sony Entertainment Television’s Vighnaharta Ganesha, has decided to bow out of the successful mythological show.
Puri has been a part of Vighnaharta Ganesha since its grand launch in 2017. She made her television debut with the show and won millions of hearts with her performance. The overnight success of the show helped her strengthen her fanbase not only in India but in several other parts of the world also. But now, after completing 700 episodes and giving nearly 3 years to the show, she is bidding it goodbye.
Though there is no update on what led the actress to quit the hit show, rumours are rife in the tinsel town of television that she has been approached to participate in Salman Khan’s controversial reality show, Bigg Boss 14.
Interestingly, the previous season of Bigg Boss had her ex-boyfriend Paras Chhabra as a contestant. The couple called it quits while Chhabra was still inside the glass-walled house. After her breakup, the actress had said that she is in a happier space today and wishes to remain drama-free.
A source in the know informs an entertainment portal that Akanksha Puri has given a notice period to the makers of Vighnaharta Ganesha. She will be dropping out from the show as soon as her notice period comes to an end.
Recently, Puri hit the headlines when she shared a cosy picture with singer Mika Singh. The actress is seen sitting on the singer’s lap as he holds her. She bids him ‘good night’ in the caption. Singh also shared the same picture on his Instagram handle, fuelling speculations.
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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.