by LAUREN CODLING
AN “UNAPOLOGETIC” play about ambition and power among young women will have its UK premiere next Monday (27).
Dance Nation, described as a “ferocious exploration of youth”, follows a group of pre-teen female dancers as they battle for perfection on and off stage. Although tied into the dancing world, the play focuses on the ambition and identities of the girls as they take the first steps into womanhood.
Manjinder Virk plays Connie, a 13-year-old girl who is a member of the dance squad.
Virk, who has trained in contemporary dance, told Eastern Eye the story is especially relevant with several high-profile women’s movements coming to the forefront.
“It is so relevant now with campaigns such as #MeToo which centralise on women’s rights and speaking up for ourselves,” she said. “Women shouldn’t be afraid of talking about things which affect them.”
Virk revealed she could relate to aspects of her character’s personality.
The Coventry-born star explained that Connie has a sadness about her, and uses dance as a form of escapism.
“I like the fact that Connie escapes in her arts. Sometimes I’ve done that when I’ve written something or performed something that has taken [me] away from something difficult happening in my life,” she said. “I can relate to that part of her.”
The British Indian actress and writer, who has starred in films such as Andrea Dunbar biopic The Arbor and Bafta-winning drama BRITZ, said the show was unlike anything she had ever worked on before. It was unique, she explained, because of the movement behind it.
“I have done some physical productions, but this is very different,” she said. “It is a wild ride, very complex, emotional and funny.”
According to Dance Nation’s writer Clare Barron, the story was inspired by the American reality show Dance Moms. The popular series is known for chronicling high-pressure dance competition featuring young girls and their ambitious mothers.
“The competitive nature is drilled into the girls and it is a really interesting subject area,” Virk remarked.
“There are questions of pressure and if it makes you happy and what it means in the long term.”
Talking about the challenges of working on such an energetic production, Virk admitted the four hours of dance rehearsals could get tiring.
“I was totally unfit before doing this,” she said. “There is a lot of movement, a lot of dancing, and that was quite testing but ultimately, it is such a rewarding experience for the audience and for us.”
Dance Nation is at the Almeida Theatre, London, from next Monday (27) until October 6
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.