Abhimanyu Singh is known for his performance in movies like Gulaal, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Jazbaa, Mom and others. Recently, the actor was seen in two movies, Sooryavanshi and Annaatthe (Tamil).
In both the movies, he played the antagonist and impressed the audiences with his performance.
Eastern Eye recently interacted with Singh and spoke to him about the success of Sooryavanshi and Annaatthe, similarity between Akshay Kumar and Rajinikanth, and more...
Sooryavanshi was slated to release in March 2020 but it finally hit the big screens this month. When we asked if the wait for the release was difficult, Singh said, “Yes, of course it was difficult. Not, only me, but everybody was waiting for the film for a long time and it took at least 18 months to see the light of the day. Most importantly, Rohit sir had said that he would release the film only in theatres and that’s what he did and the Hindi film audiences are again back to the theatres because of Sooryavanshi. I knew that this film will do wonders.”
In Annaatthe, Singh got an opportunity to share screen space with Rajinikanth.
While talking about his experience of working with the South superstar, the actor said, “It was a wonderful experience. It was like a dream come true. Since the day I have been working in South, my wife used to ask me just one question ‘when you will be working with Rajini sir?’ Thanks to director Siva, it’s because of him I got a chance to work with Rajini sir.”
“He is a wonderful human being. He is successful and such a big star, but he is still so humble and grounded. This is the one thing which I learnt from him. Whatever height you achieve in your life, you should never forget that your feet are on ground,” he added.
When asked him if there’s any similarities between Rajinikanth and Akshay, Singh said, “The biggest similarity between them is that both of them are successful but still very humble. Akshay sir is also very simple and he treats everyone in the same manner as Rajini sir does. So, that’s the big similarity between these two stars.”
Singh is mainly known for portraying negative roles, but when asked if he would like to play a positive character, he said, “I will be doing positive roles in a couple of upcoming projects of mine. As an actor I always feel that I need to do different kind of roles and thankfully I am getting those opportunities where I will be seen doing comedy and positive roles.”
Singh will next be seen in Bachchan Pandey which also stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role.
While talking about the film, he said, “It has an amazing story. We all were in Rajasthan for about 50-60 days, and we completed the film in one go. It was a great experience of working with Sajid Nadiadwala, the producer of the film. I was working with him for the first time, but he made me feel very comfortable. He is a very wonderful human being and a sensible producer. And of course, once again with Akshay sir, it was great fun shooting for Bachchan Pandey. You will see me in a very different role in the film, completely different from what I have done in Sooryavanshi.”
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.