British actor Banita Sandhu, who made her debut with October, says she does not want to limit herself to a particular genre.
The 20-year-old actor says she enjoys commercial cinema and she wants to be associated with good content.
"I don't want to box myself into anything. I have done October and I am super happy. I want to be versatile and work with different creative people. If it is a massy film, great or if it is going to be independent film with first time director, that also will be great. I just want to be creatively passionate about the project.
"... We all have grown up watching (commercial cinema) and there is a reason they do well. But at the same time, I am so much driven creatively to push the envelope and boundaries and creating new content," Banita said.
The actor received appreciation for her performance as Shiuli, a hotel trainee who goes into coma after a freak accident. The film also starred Varun Dhawan.
"I am indebted to Shoojit Sircar (director) for trusting me with this role. It was a life changing role for me. It looked easy on screen but it wasn't. We all worked as a team to pull it off. The response we got is incredible. I feel blessed and grateful to be part of the project," she says.
After shooting the film, Banita returned to the UK to film Diljit Dosanjh's music video Jind Mahi.
The actor says Diljit approached her team for the song and she was excited to work with him.
"I am a Punjabi and my family like Diljit. They are more excited about this music video. I am a huge fan of Diljit and Udta Punjab is one of my favourite films. It was an enjoyable shoot," she says.
On films, Banita says she is yet to zero in on her next project.
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.