Sacked Coronation Street actor Marc Anwar will face a police hate crime investigation over the controversial comments he made about Indians on Twitter.
Screenshots of the Pakistani-born actor’s Twitter account, in which he described Indians as “b*****ds” and “p**s-drinking c****” and lashed out at the ongoing violence in Kashmir claiming “Indians killing our Kashmir brothers and sisters”, were published in a Sunday newspaper.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester police said: “On Sunday 25 September 2016, police received a report of a hate crime. Police have launched an investigation and inquiries are ongoing.”
On Monday (September 26), Anwar apologised for what he described as a “moment of madness” which was a result of his “sincere feelings for the people of Kashmir”.
In a video on YouTube, the 45-year-old said: “I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to anyone that I may have offended with my tweets on Friday evening, and especially people from India.
“This was never my intention. The language was unacceptable.
“I feel I have let a lot of people down: my family, my friends and my former colleagues.”
He added: “On Friday evening I saw, on the news, children being pulled out of rubble, people being pelted with pellets, women mourning their dead in Kashmir.
“This upset me very deeply and in a moment of madness I ranted out. I vented my anger.”
Anwar’s Twitter comments are alleged to have been a reaction to the Indian army killing a Pakistani militant in Kashmir in a gunfight. It came on the back of an attack on an Indian army base in the region which killed 18 Indian soldiers.
Indian officials blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge which Pakistan has denied.
Anwar has, however, claimed his intention was not to attack India, telling the BBC Asian Network: “It was aimed at the two governments in the two countries.”
Coronation Street hired Anwar in 2014 in the role of businessman Sharif Nazir. He was part of the first Muslim family on Britain’s longest-running soap. However, his bosses at ITV were quick to condemn the actor’s comments as “entirely unacceptable and racially offensive”.They confirmed he would not be returning to Coronation Street, though the episodes which he has already filmed will be broadcast as his character is phased out.
When asked if he hoped to one day return to the soap, Anwar, who has acted in Hollywood films such as Captain Phillips and 51st State, said: “If work doesn’t come my way, I won’t starve.”
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.