After ruling the television industry for more than a decade, Krystle D’Souza is now all set to make her Bollywood debut with the film Chehre which is slated to release on 27th August 2021.
We recently interacted with Krystle and when we asked her how much excited she is for her Bollywood debut, the actress said, “Extremely excited, words can’t explain my excitement at this point. It’s my debut film with Bachchan ji (Amitabh Bachchan), and Emraan (Hashmi), and I can’t have even dreamt of a better cast and a better film than this for my debut.”
When asked what made her say yes to make her debut with Chehre, the actress stated, “In the past also I have been offered Bollywood films, but the script never appealed to me. Sometimes the script was good, but I had nothing to do in the film. So, there were many things that kept stopping me from doing various films and I used to think that what if I don’t get another film. But, I couldn’t compromise on what I felt I deserved as an actor. So, I waited and look where we are actually.”
Television actresses are mainly known for playing the role of a daughter-in-law or a sister in family drama shows.
So, when we asked Krystle if it’s difficult to break that image and get a Bollywood movie, she said, “Yes and no. When you have open-minded directors and producers who have a vision, who are creative, who know that an actor can act and it does not matter what medium they are acting on, then it’s not difficult at all. But, then we come to directors and producers who feel like ‘bahu, beti, TV, and over exposed’, then it becomes difficult.”
“They don’t realise TV actors come with a lot of experience, with a lot of hard work, and with a lot of mass' following. So, that’s your job half done, you don’t have to train somebody to act, you don’t have to put in so much money to promote somebody, you don’t have to spend on marketing because we come with that. So, it has very little to do with the actor and a lot to do with the people casting. Also, more than the people casting, I feel it’s the people who approve the casting,” she added.
Directed by Rumy Jafry, Chehre also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Emraan Hashmi, and Rhea Chakraborty.
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.