Making a mark in Bollywood is surely not an easy task. One has to be talented as well as their films have to do well at the box office. However now, many Bollywood actors have started exploring the idea of starring in a web series or a film that releases on an OTT platform.
Today, let’s look at the list of whose career got a boost because of the OTT platforms…
Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan’s last big hit was the 2013 release Race 2. After that, he has starred in many films but none of them did great business at the box office apart from this year’s release Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior in which he played the antagonist. But well, it was in 2018, when Saif got huge success because of the web series Sacred Games. The series got a fantastic response and Saif’s performance was also appreciated a lot in it.
Abhishek Bachchan
Apart from a couple of films, Abhishek Bachchan has failed to make a mark as a solo hero. He starred in many multi-starrers which were blockbusters at the box office. But after 2016, he decided to take up projects that would have him as the protagonist and make him shine. This year, he starred in the web series Breathe: Into The Shadows and well, he was at his best.
Bobby Deol
After Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, Bobby Deol took a break from acting for 4 years and then made a comeback with Poster Boys. The film didn’t do well, and the actor has been trying his best to reinvent himself in Bollywood. However, this year, he has got success with Netflix’s original film Class of 83 and MX Player’s web series Aashram.
Sharman Joshi
With films like 3 Idiots and Ferrari Ki Sawaari to his credit, Sharman Joshi was doing well in Bollywood. However, from the past few years, he wasn’t getting movies that were doing justice to his talent. Finally, last year, he featured in Alt Balaji’s web series Baarish and well, people were once again reminded how much talented Sharman is.
Vivek Oberoi
In early 2000, Vivek Oberoi featured in many amazing movies, and also his films were also doing well at the box office. But from the past few years, Vivek is not in the best phase of his career. However, when he decided to make his digital debut with Inside Edge, things changed for him. The actor has put his best foot forward in the web series.
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.