There is no denying the fact that Akshay Kumar is one of the most sought-after actors in Bollywood, who has constantly proved his power at the box office. Having said that, the poor performance of his last release Bachchhan Paandey (2022) did come as a huge surprise for fans and distributors.
When Kumar was asked about the same during one of his recent interviews, the actor said that he is unstirred by the fate of his films at the box office as he has delivered multiple flops in a row in his career. He also stated that dealing with failure is the same as it was before.
“Dealing with failure is the same. I have not just had 13-14 flops… there was again a time in the middle where my 8-9 films flopped. I always say you can feel bad for a flop from Friday to Sunday. On Monday, you have to pick yourself up and go do another film and be very happy on the set. You can’t carry around your sad face everywhere. You have to go and enjoy yourself, your work. Good films are only made because you enjoy the film,” the actor told a publication.
After the huge success of such south Indian films as Pushpa: The Rise (2021), RRR (2022), and KGF: Chapter 2 (2022), Bollywood is under immense pressure as a certain segment of the audience has started believing that the southern film industry is taking over Bollywood. The Hindi film industry has also been accused of facing an acute lack of originality and remaking every successful south Indian film instead of coming up with original ideas and concepts.
The Rustom (2016) actor said that he has no issues with starring in remakes of south films. “I was recently questioned why I am doing two remakes. To which I said, why shouldn’t I? What is the problem with it?” he questioned.
The actor added that some of his successful Hindi films have been remade in the south. “My O My God (2012) was remade in Telugu. The film worked here as well as there, I did their Rowdy Rathore (2012), and it worked there as well as here. So, why does anyone have an issue with that? People have a problem with songs being remixed, why? We are making originals also and remakes also. If there is a good south Indian film and we are taking the rights and remaking here, what’s the issue? People are saying we don’t have talent here, of course, we have talent here, but if we have liked a story then why can’t we remake it in Hindi?” Kumar concluded.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.