Sai Tamhankar is currently busy garnering praises for her performance in Mimi. The actress, who is a prominent name in the Marathi film industry, plays Mimi’s best friend Shama’s character in the film.
We recently interacted with Sai, and while talking to us about her character in the film, the actress said, “We have that one person in our lives who knows too much about us, all our secrets. I think Shama is that for Mimi. They are more like sisters than friends. Kriti (Sanon) is a happy girl and she makes the atmosphere very bright; I was very happy that I got to be close to such a vibrant, honest, and happy energy. So, I had a lot of fun shooting this.”
In the movie, we get to see Sai shaking a leg on the song Param Sundari which is composed by AR Rahman. When asked how she felt about dancing to a song composed by Rahman, she said, “I have not danced much in my Marathi films. So, for the past few days, I am acting pricey and telling everyone that 'I had decided if I dance it will be on a Rahman sir’s song only'. It’s been amazing, this was unexpected.”
“Some days ago, me, Kriti and Pankaj ji (Tripathi), we were discussing this on a live chat with our fans, and Pankaj ji said, ‘he (Rahman) is going to do the background music also, so he’s going watch everybody’s performance’, and this made me realise that oh my god, it’s brilliant. It is everybody’s dream to feature in Rahman sahab’s song, he is the god of music and wow it’s a great feeling,” she added.
Directed by Laxman Utekar, Mimi started streaming on Jio Cinema and Netflix on Monday (26). The film has received a great response, and Kriti Sanon, Sai Tamhankar and Pankaj Tripathi’s performances are being appreciated a lot.
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.