Dayana Erappa made her debut down South with Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. She made her Hindi debut with the recently released web series Sunflower which is directed by Vikas Bahl.
Dayana has worked with two of the best directors in the Indian film industry, but this is just the start for her. So, recently, in an interaction with us, when we asked her which directors she would like to collaborate with, the actress stated, “In South, I would like to work with Gautham Vasudev Menon. I have watched all his movies and I am a big fan. In Bollywood, there’s Sanjay Leela Bhansali of course. The way he makes movies it’s like a dream. So, I would love to work with him, and of course, new directors. The young directors and writers have so much more to bring out. So, I want to explore things.”
When asked if she has a list of actors she would like to work with, Dayana said, “No, I don’t have anyone as such that I want to work with. So, I don’t have a favourite actor, but, I want to try and work with everyone.”
Dayana has worked down South as well as in the Hindi film industry. When we asked her if there’s any difference in both the industries, the actress stated, “I didn’t feel much difference because both the directors (Ratnam and Bahl) didn’t treat me like a newcomer. They never made me feel like this is my debut, they were very welcoming. I was very shocked to see that. Even when I did the South film (Chekka Chivantha Vaanam), I was very hesitant because you don’t know what happens for a newcomer. But, I was in guidance of Mani sir from day one, so it didn’t matter if you are a newcomer or a senior actor.”
“Even here Vikas sir as a director has done such great movies like Super 30 and Queen, but he is so friendly. He gives that freedom to enhance your character or improvise, he actually tells bring more to the character,” she added.
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.