By Murtuza Iqbal
Paresh Rawal has been in the industry for more than three decades. He has been a part of many successful films and has impressed one and all with his acting talent.
From comedy to dramatic movies, he has done it all and has proved his versatility. But, we cannot ignore the fact that audiences love him when he portrays a comedy character on the big screen.
Today, Paresh Rawal celebrates his 66th birthday, so let’s look at the top five films in which the actor made us laugh out loud with his performance in it…
Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
We have to start the list with Andaz Apna Apna. The actor played a double role in the film and his performance was surely one of the highlights of the film. Also, his dialogue, ‘Teja main hoon, mark idhar hai’ is still remembered by everyone.
Judaai (1997)
Judaai was a romantic drama, but the makers had roped in Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever and Kader Khan to get some comic relief in the film. Well, Paresh Rawal played a character who has a habit of asking a lot of questions. His scenes were simply amazing in the film, and also his hairstyle grabbed our attention.
Hera Pheri (2000) / Phir Hera Pheri (2006)
Paresh Rawal’s character Babu Rao from the Hera Pheri franchise is one of the most memorable characters he has played on the big screen. The actor made us laugh out loud in each and every scene of both the films. We simply can’t imagine any other actor as Babu Rao. For Hera Pheri, he also won Filmfare Best Comedian Award.
Hulchul (2004)
Hulchul was a multi-starrer and featured actors like Akshaye Khanna, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Amrish Puri, and others. But, we won’t be wrong if we say that Rawal’s performance surely stood out in it and he made us laugh a lot.
Welcome (2007)
Welcome is one of the best comedy films made in Bollywood. Paresh Rawal played the role of Dr. Ghungroo in it and he nailed it in the movie. His impeccable comic timing was surely one of the highlights of the film.
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.