Known for toplining a number of successful shows on Indian television, Arjun Bijlani is set to take a plunge into the digital world. The popular actor is making his digital debut with an upcoming ZEE5 series, titled State of Siege 26/11.
As the title suggests itself, State of Siege 26/11 revisits a series of terrorist attacks that took place in November 2008, lasting four days across Mumbai. The upcoming series is told from the perspective of NSG commandos who were responsible for bringing down the 10 terrorists during the terror strike.
Arjun Bijlani, who plays one of the NSG commandos, shares how he prepared for his role in the series, “I watched action films like Saving Private Ryan (1998) and a lot of other movies to have a visual of everything while shooting for State of Siege: 26/11. I also leaned down a bit to play this character.”
The actor adds that the real superhero also gave in their inputs to make everything as perfect as possible, "Otherwise, everything was supervised by Lt. Colonel Sundeep Sen. He is an inspiration and was also on set to help us get everything right.”
State of Siege: 26/11 is based on Sandeep Unnithan's book Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11. The series has been highly awaited by viewers ever since its trailer surprised everyone with its magnanimity and scale.
Featuring an ensemble cast which includes the likes of Arjun Bijlani, Vivek Dahiya, Arjan Bajwa, Mukul Dev, Sid Makkar, Tara Alisha Berry, Roshni Sahota, Suzanne Bernert, Naren Kumar and others, the series has been directed by Matthew Leutwyler.State Of Siege: 26/11 is scheduled for its grand premiere on ZEE5 on 20th March 2020.
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.