By: Mohnish Singh
2020 turned out to be a disastrous year for a lot of us, but one person who should probably have no complaints is none other than Bollywood star Bobby Deol. The actor, who was quite a rage back in the 90s, led two high-profile projects in 2020 – Class of 83 on Netflix and Aashram on MX Player. Both projects largely received great response from the audience, giving his otherwise fading career a big fillip.
After a great 2020, Deol is looking forward to an even successful 2021. The actor will next be seen in Netflix’s Penthouse, which reunites him with director duo Abbas-Mustan after a huge gap of 8 years. They have previously worked on several box-office hits such as Soldier (1998), Ajnabee (2001), and Humraaz (2002).
Showering praises on Abbas-Mustan, Bobby Deol says, “They are the nicest people I have worked with. I have done maximum films with them and their first web film is also with me. They are amazing at making thrillers and have a very modern approach towards visualising the scenes.”
The actor goes on to add that there was a phase in his career when he was offered nothing but thrillers. “I got stuck to the image of acting in thrillers, and when some of them did not work, things fell through. But I am glad different content is coming my way now. My three shows on the web world showcase a different version of me – Class of 83, Aashram and Penthouse,” he adds.
Apart from Penthouse, Deol has a few more exciting projects on his platter, one of them being Anil Sharma’s next directorial Apne 2, which reunites him with father Dharmendra, and brother Sunny Deol. The film was expected to get off the ground in April, but it has now been pushed to July.
“We start around July as the work on the script is still going on. It should come out next year and it is going to be exciting to be working with my dad, brother, and also the first time with (nephew) Karan (Deol),” he signs off.
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.