British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who turned 46 on Tuesday, is known for his portrayals of intelligent, often upper-crust characters, his deep resonant voice, and his distinctive name.
Along with gaining widespread popularity for playing a modern Sherlock Holmes in the television series 'Sherlock', the actor has also brought to life the character of 'Dr Strange' in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. He has received various accolades, including a British Academy Television Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Laurence Olivier Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.
So, on the occasion of his 46th birthday, check out if you know some of the lesser-known facts about the actor:
His eyes change colour
It has been long noted by fans that Cumberbatch has distinctive eyes as they appear to change color depending on the lights. The reason for this is that he has a rare condition called Heterochromia Iridis, which causes his eyes to sometimes appear blue and sometimes green.
Parents were also actors
His parents Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, are also actors and in fact, they have also played his reel parents in the BBC series 'Sherlock'.
Worked as an English professor
Cumberbatch took a year off after graduating and during that period worked as an English professor. He used to teach Tibetan children at a monastery in India's Darjeeling.
Painting skills
Apart from having impeccable acting skills, Cumberbatch is also a painter. He went to the Harrow school on an art scholarship and has painted large oil canvas paintings and self-portraits.
He was kidnapped once
The actor has even survived a real-life kidnapping when he filming the BBC mini-series 'To The Ends of the Earth'. Cumberbatch and his co-star Denise Black were kidnapped by six men however, they somehow managed to talk their way out of it.
Can officiate weddings
Benedict is fully licensed to officiate a wedding as he became legally ordained so that he could marry his friends Seth Cummings and Rob Rinder at their 2013 wedding.
Auburn is his natural hair colour
As the actor often plays raven-haired characters, it might come as a surprise for many that he actually has to dye his hair for those parts because his natural hair color is a reddy-blonde auburn.
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.