Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who is busy promoting his next film Bachchhan Paandey, on Wednesday said he works round-the-clock for his passion for cinema and not money.
The 54-year-old actor said he is surprised when people ask him how he shoots so many films in a year. "I choose to go to work in the morning and take a break on Sundays. If you continue to work every day, then easily you have many films in the pipeline. Everyone was working in the pandemic, including the policemen, media photographers, and others. Everyone has to earn money. Today I have everything in life, I lead a good life. I can easily sit at home and not earn but what about others who want to work (and earn money)? I am working today not because of money but for passion. The day I feel disinterested is when I will stop working," Kumar told reporters at the press conference of Bachchhan Pandey in Mumbai.
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the upcoming action-comedy film is set to hit cinemas on March 18. It is directed by Farhad Samji of Housefull 4 (2019) fame.
Kumar was the first Bollywood star to release his film Sooryavanshi (2021) in theatres after they reopened in Maharashtra and the rest of the country last November. As he gears up for his third release Bachchhan Paandey, amid the pandemic following Bellbottom (2021) and Sooryavanshi, the actor said he hopes all films do well commercially.
"We should pray that everyone's films work and that the auditoriums remain packed, that's the most important thing. The industry has suffered terribly in the last two-and-a-half-years. Films of so many people are stuck and the interest amount is mounting. My own film Sooryavanshi was ready but could release only after one-and-a-half years. I hope that the films run, which is important for us."
In Bachchhan Paandey, Kumar will be seen as a gangster, Kriti Sanon as a documentary filmmaker, and Arshad Warsi as the friend of Sanon's character. The actor, who has previously played negative roles in films like Khiladi 420 (2000) and Ajnabee (2001), said he loved playing the role of a villain.
"I have realised that the villain has a good role and there is a lot of substance to his character as opposed to the hero, who only wins in the last 10 minutes of the film. It was fun to play the role," he added.
Bachchhan Paandey also featuring Pankaj Tripathi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Abhimanyu Singh, Sanjay Mishra, and Prateik Babbar, among others, arrives on March 18, 2021.
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.