By Murtuza Iqbal
Huma Qureshi starrer Maharani has started streaming on Sony LIV today. The series is created by Subhash Kapoor, and directed by Karan Sharma.
Maharani is about Rani Bharti (Huma) who is the wife of the Chief Minister of Bihar. But after her husband gets shot, she becomes the Chief Minister of the state.
We recently interacted with Huma and spoke to her about the series. When asked if she took any training for getting the diction right, the actress stated, “I had a great team. Subhash sir (Kapoor) with whom I have earlier worked in Jolly LLB 2 has been amazing. He has been a political journalist himself, so he understands the region, and his research is bang on. My director Karan sir (Sharma) and the writers understand the nuances of this world really well. It was honestly all there in the script already, and they have worked very hard to put all these things in the script.”
“We also had a two-week workshop in which I every day did my lines, and we all the actors read the script just to get familiar with the words and the lines. For me, Rani Bharti is a diametrically opposite character to who I am. So, it was a real delight and a challenge to play the role,” she added.
In the series, Huma gets to do emotional scenes, dramatic scenes, and even comedy. When asked if she feels that the series has showcased her versatility, the actress said, “I think so. I think it’s been a very fulfilling journey. It’s been one of those characters where you feel very fulfilled as an actor to get a role like this in which you can do so much. So, I really had a blast playing Rani Bharti and in terms of a character’s journey, it travels a lot. It’s a coming-of-age story. So, it was fun, challenging, and difficult.”
Movies and web series revolving around politics always invite controversies. When we asked Huma if she was hesitant to take up the role thinking about controversy, she said, “I don’t worry about controversies. I just read the script and if I like it I will do it, I don’t think about what controversy will come out. Then we will not be able to do anything at all.”
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.