Vikrant Massey and Kriti Kharbanda starrer 14 Phere started streaming on Zee5 on 23rd July 2021. It’s a rom-com, and both the actors have worked with each other for the first time in the movie.
We recently interacted with Vikrant and Kriti and asked them about their experience of working with each other. To which Kriti quipped, “Very bad, I wanted to say this for so long (laughs).” Vikrant added, “I have troubled her a lot.”
However, further speaking about his co-star, Vikrant said, “It was fantastic. She is a thorough professional and such a talented actress. I was very excited to share screen space with her because I know the caliber she poses, and it was an opportunity for me to collaborate with someone who is like-minded, someone who shared a similar background, we both come from a very middle-class background. But, her style of working is slightly different from mine and I did pick up a lot of things on set which hopefully I will inculcate in my general practice and carry on forward from here on.”
Kriti added, “I had the best time working with Vikrant. When I signed the film Vikrant was already cast as Sanjay. I was looking forward to working with him, I think he has been on a roll, and I think he is a fantastic actor. I am so glad that I took up this opportunity and I can vouch for one thing that there can never be a better Sanjay and no one could have done it the way Vikrant’s done it. While he may have picked up my spontaneity, after watching the film I have realised how important it is to always prep for your role and that is something I know I am going to take away from this. So, I am actually glad that I got to work with someone who is so talented and I would like to say that he is a lovely human being, and I know this is going to be the friendship of a lifetime and I am looking forward to it.”
Directed by Devanshu Singh, 14 Phere also stars Gauahar Khan in a pivotal role.
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.