by LAUREN CODLING
AN ASIAN actor has urged young people to engage in the arts as he praised drama for changing his life.
Bally Gill, 25, stars as Romeo in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) current production of Romeo And Juliet.
The Coventry-born actor did not have access to a drama department while at school, so he is keen to engage with young people, in order for them to get involved in the arts and reap the benefits.
A shy teenager at school, Gill revealed that drama provided him with the confidence he has carried into adult life. It was an outlet for him to be creative as a teenager and boosted his confidence.
At school, he recalled, he didn’t put his hand up as he was reluctant to draw attention to himself.
“Drama has changed me as a person – I was so shy at school,” the actor said. “If I was ever late for school, I would avoid going in as I didn’t want people to look at me when I came in late.”
Since he discovered his passion for acting at 16, he claimed performing in front of a variety of crowds has helped him to articulate himself as a person.
“[As drama wasn’t available at school,] I had to go and seek it out. I went to the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry and I’m so glad I did as it resulted in this,” he said.
Gill added that the “RAC has affiliated with my old secondary school, President Kennedy School, and we are getting young people to be in the [Romeo and Juliet] show and get involved”.
In total, 56 students from schools in the Midlands will get the chance to perform on stage alongside the professional cast. The pupils, aged between 12-18, broken up in teams of four, will perform each night in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
“Starting at the grassroots level was to say, this is for you. Whether it is acting, drama or Shakespeare…you can do it and it is possible,” Gill explained.
“I knew that if I had the chance…that was always something I wanted to do.”
Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous plays in the world – it has been adapted numerous times for the screen and stage, including the 1995 Baz Luhrmann adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
In making the iconic character his own, Gill admitted it was a challenge as the role has been portrayed so many times in the past by several high-profile actors.
The idea of portraying the character in a modernised way occurred to Gill during the audition.
“I had a version in my head of what Romeo would be like in 2018,” he said. “In our production, he is a young Indian man with a west Midlands accent who is funny, confident, arrogant, hot-headed and madly in love with Juliet. He’s passionate about everything he does and that gets him in trouble sometimes.”
He added the play, which he cites as “one of the best love stories ever written”, remains popular as people can relate to the highly emotive themes which run throughout. It is relevant to every single age group.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old – it is those emotions and passions and drives that everyone knows or has a feeling of. People know, or want to know, how it feels to be madly in love with someone and it is that which keeps it so timeless.”
On 18 July, the RSC production of Romeo and Juliet will be broadcast live into cinemas throughout the UK and beyond. For more info: https://www.rsc.org.uk/Romeo-and-Juliet/in-cinemas
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.