Actress Amyra Dastur, who was most recently seen in Maddock Films’ Made In China (2019), has bagged yet another exciting project. She joined the cast of upcoming webseries Dilli. Earlier title Tandav, the webseries is being directed by filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar who is helming it for streaming media giant Amazon Prime Video.
Dastur has joined Saif Ali Khan on the show, who plays the lead role. Dilli is a political thriller set in the power corridors of Lutyens’s Delhi. The actress said that her knowledge of politics grew wider after she came onboard the project.
"The show is all about politics in which each of us have important roles to play. Right now, with whatever is happening around us, everyone's eyes are on this and the games that get played in the political world. My knowledge of politics has widened because of the show," she said.
Amyra is glad to be a part of the show simply because it has a strong story and Saif Ali Khan is fronting the cast. Khan, who entered the digital world with the Netflix original Sacred Games, is currently leading the charge on OTT platforms. The actress has previously worked with the National Award-winning actor on their 2018 film Kaalakaandi.
"Saif is one of the finest actors that we have today and the kind of work he is doing is putting us on the global map. So, it was a yes for me from the word go because the story is extremely fascinating,” said the actress.
Dastur is not the kind of actress who reads just her part in a script. Before nodding a yes to Dilli, she read the entire scripts and tried to understand all the main characters. "I do that because people are not going to just remember your character but the show in totality," Dastur said in conclusion.
Aside from Saif Ali Khan and Amyra Dastur, Dilli also features Sunil Grover, Gauahar Khan and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub on its ensemble cast. The makers are yet to announce the premiere date of the series.
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.