One of the most sought-after actors in Bollywood, Akshay Kumar says he does not believe in taking the burden of performing at the box office as his sole focus on a Friday is to deliver a good film that will make his fans happy.
Kumar was last seen in Sooryavanshi (2021) which emerged as the biggest hit of the Hindi film industry in two years. It performed extremely well even amid the pandemic and with theatrical restrictions.
Trade experts have already set their expectations on his upcoming action-comedy Bachchhan Paandey, hoping that the film would break the box office records when it opens in cinemas on March 18.
In an interview with PTI, Kumar said he is not exactly zen-like before a release, but he also doesn't lose his mind over a film's prospect. "It isn't that I am completely chill. I do feel the pre-release anxiety, which should be there. The pressure of the result is there, if the audience will like my work, like the film, that's there. But there's something I follow since I started working in the industry. If a film doesn't work, I feel terrible the next day and then in two days, I'll move on to some other film. Some people start brooding, thinking, 'Why did the film not work?' I don't do that," the 54-year-old actor said.
Kumar said the way to get out of the loop of failure and success, is to simply move on. "You've to forget what you've done, even if it has been successful, and start afresh. I don't carry the burden of the box office, not at all, I've never had that. My fans love me, irrespective of whether my films work or not. They know me. They watch my films, they love me a lot," he added.
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Bachchhan Paandey is mounted as a true-blue Hindi masala film, where Kumar's titular gangster is aided by action, romance, music, and an ensemble of other actors— Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Arshad Warsi.
For many, the film, directed by Farhad Samji, serves as a reminder of the genre Bollywood used to make.
Kumar said the Hindi film industry functions on one primary factor: Makers will back what is in vogue and everyone will follow suit. "We have a herd mentality here. If socially relevant films work, then everyone starts making that. If a 'masala' film works, then 10 such would be announced. So this herd mentality is a huge thing here. Everything also has a season. According to me, now will be the season of such (masala) films, but maybe they'll fade in a year or two."
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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.