Sunil Grover has created a space for himself with his impeccable comic timing but the actor says he never believed he had the knack to tickle the funny bone of the audience.
The 45-year-old actor, who gained popularity for playing the characters of Gutthi, Dr Mashhoor Gulati, and Rinku Devi on The Kapil Sharma Show, recalled his first brush with comedy.
"I didn’t know I could make people laugh. I didn’t know there would be any skill or craft involved because I was just copying and mimicking people and people were laughing. Later I learnt, you can earn money from it as well. So, I did masters in theatres and decided to make a career in it,” Grover told PTI in an interview.
"I didn’t know how and where to start from. There was no social media or any other platforms then or I didn’t know you could become an influencer or content creator,” he added.
Having explored different styles of humour on screen, Grover said for him it is all about making people laugh through his characters.
"Comedy can be approached in different ways, it can be mute, slapstick, over the top, exaggerated, realistic, so there are many ways in which you can make people laugh. It all depends on whatever is suitable for that particular project.
"Like Sunflower was a thriller plus comedy, so the vibe was realistic and subtle. In my new show, United Kacche the situation will make you laugh. So, whatever makes people laugh, I am ready to do that.”
Grover, who received acclaim for his performance in Tandav, Sunflower, and the recently released show United Kacche, said he is blessed to have got the opportunity to essay interesting roles in the web space.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.