Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana says authentic representation for films with LGBTQ characters is crucial but his experience in the past has also made him aware that it is not easy to get actors from the community on board for projects.
Khurrana starred in last year's rom-com Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020), in which he played one half of a gay couple with Jitendra Kumar, and recently featured in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), where his co-star Vaani Kapoor essayed the role of a trans woman.
Though Kapoor's performance was lauded by many, a section felt it would have been better if a trans person could play the part.
In an interview with PTI, Khurrana acknowledged the debate but said getting the representation right is not easy. "I don't think we are there as a society. There is a lot of difference between us and the West. For Shubh Mangal...' we got in touch with a lot of closeted gay actors and asked if they were ready to come out and do the film because we wanted representation. But they refused, saying they would get typecast and would never be able to play a hetero male character. It was impossible to get a gay actor, (but) we tried our best."
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan was a case study for Khurrana, 37, and the team after seeing how a section of the viewers was apprehensive about stepping out to watch a gay romance when released last year, he said.
The actor said the Abhishek Kapoor directorial deliberately masked its actual subject of transphobia in its promotions and created the illusion of just another regular romantic comedy to at least get the audience in.
"We made a conscious effort of marketing the film a certain way. We thought people should discover the subject while they watch the film, it should come as a surprise. In my last outing, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, a lot of people from two-tier cities didn't go for the film because they were put off by the fact that two men were kissing.
"We thought if we put our subject out in the open and in the trailer, it won't appeal to the wider audience. That is why we had to create an illusion of a rom-com. This film is a great baby step towards representation. In the times to come, there will be an actor from the trans community, speaking for the community. That is only fair, the mic has to be passed," he added.
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui features Khurrana as Manu, a transphobic man, who eventually undergoes a transformation. The 37-year-old actor said the film directly aims to speak to the general audience, who are not progressive and are quick to dismiss gender identities.
"The reactive Manu represents the masses, who are as regressive as anyone out there, he is not aware. His transformation means the transformation of the common man on the street. That was interesting for me. It was easy to understand him because I know people like him. They could be anyone, from rich or poor families, because it is a mindset."
While Khurrana instantly boarded the project, he described Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui as his “riskiest project" yet. Everything, the actor said, depended on how the film's narrative would treat its central conflict.
"The treatment matters in a film like this. It could have gone either way. It needed someone like Abhishek, who is a progressive person. I knew the school of thought he comes from and the worldview he has. So, we were in safe hands. It is my riskiest film ever. It deals with transphobia. It is difficult for the masses to digest. The regular Joe on the street is transphobic and homophobic, which is why it was my riskiest film. But I was never in two minds."
The film theatrically released on December 10 and has been performing well at the domestic box office.
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.