Ever since coming into existence in 2018, leading OTT platform ZEE5 has been consistently trying to come up with shows which have strong narratives and relatable characters. There is no denying the fact that the majority of ZEE5 Originals have hit the home run just because viewers related to some of the characters as they reminded them of themselves or they aspired to be like one of the characters.
Today, we bring to our readers some of the most popular characters from the universe of ZEE5 Originals. Feel free to find out which character matches your personality most.
Audaciously Neelam: Bamfaad
Cherishing the experience of modern love in the old streets of Allahabad, Neelam isn’t the one to follow the ‘Girls should be seen, not heard’ philosophy. She is the one who would dare to speak as much she would be seen creating memories in a city that wouldn’t encourage her to. Here is Neelam wanting to paint it pink with her reckless little adventures of love. After all, what should she be afraid of? She isn’t the one to be lost in the whirlwinds of the dark confines of conformist beliefs. While the world wants to portray masks and unrealistic images to be accepted, she has lowered the walls of apprehension to give it all to her unswerving love. Come what may, if you are this intrepid and would go any lengths to protect your love, then Neelam is the character who would be amazingly relatable to you. Explore the crazy love of Neelam and Naate in Bamfaad while it takes you on the relatable journey.
Unapologetically Meira: Mentalhood
Meira Kapoor is the quintessential small-town mom who has set her feet on the flowered grounds of South Bombay, shouldering a household with three kids and her husband whilst facing her own struggles with aspirations from which she is often made to choose, mostly ending up prioritising the former. It is yet delightful to regard that she doesn’t drown her identity in the deep sea of responsibilities and challenges. A product of an archetypal culture, where women are often looked down for not being the perfect mother, daughter, sister or wife, Meira isn’t afraid to commit her share of mistakes only to learn from them. So, if you are someone who swears by the audacity of being unapologetically yourself, then you would love the character of Karisma Kapoor in Mentalhood.
Passionately Monica: Code M
Monica isn’t someone who would play by the rules. She isn’t the one to take the easy route even when it seems to be the most convenient without exploring all the possibilities. She may not look like a team player at first, only to unveil that she likes things her way. While she is constantly tried to be brought down by everyone around her, she isn’t the one who can be tamed or unnerved. While you would find her to be the tough one, if you look deeper, she is actually also someone who can be the life of the party, perfectly balancing her roles. Passion is one word to describe Monica Mehra and if you are the type to go beyond the confines of the 9 to 5 driven by vehemence, then you would definitely relate to her character! Get inspired and thrilled with the gripping plot of Code M while you explore the various interesting aspects of Major Monica Mehra’s personality.
Enthusiastically Biji: Who’s Your Daddy?
While Soggy is busy impressing Mahek and his father is on a journey of surprising explorations, here is Biji breaking the stereotypes of being a typical grandmom! With a glass of whiskey in one hand and great enthusiasm in her heart, she is the one living the life and no one can dare to stop her. While we have had this image of their generation as being the disciplinarians and profusely brimming with sanskaars, you might have to rethink this! If you have that chilled out Punjabi biji who enjoys her rock music more than a pravachan, you should totally watch Who’s Your Daddy!
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.