By Murtuza Iqbal
On 25th May 2021, Tusshar Kapoor completed 20 years in the industry. We recently interacted with Tusshar and spoke to him about his journey in Bollywood, advice he got from his father Jeetendra, criticism, and more.
While talking about his journey of 20 years, Tusshar told us, “I can write a book on it, 20 years is not a small amount of time. But, to sum it up in a few words, I would say exciting, surprising, tough, hectic, and transforming.”
When asked if Jeetendra had given him any advice before he entered the industry, the actor stated, “Not any specific advice, but he would always say that do what you feel is right, do what your heart tells you, don’t think too much, and professionalism always pays.”
In these 20 years, Tusshar has been a part of many films. Some did well at the box office and some failed to make a mark. When we asked him if he regrets doing any film, Tusshar said, “There have been one or two films where at the last minute I realised that I should not be doing this film, and it’s not good for the producer also to not make this film. There’s nothing cohesively working towards making a good film. So, I used to get very pressurised because I didn’t know how to get out of that film, and then I used to just do the film as it looks very bad. People get anxious and disappointed because they don’t see what you are seeing. So, it’s better to not damage your relationship and reputation. So, just do what you are committed to doing. But, today, I feel there are no regrets. The film is good or bad, you learn from it.”
While talking about facing criticism and people saying that he only does films produced by his sister Ekta Kapoor, Tusshar told us, “Initially, I used to think why are they lying so much because I started with Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai which was a film I earned on my own. I was working as an assistant director and I was offered the film by Vashu ji (Bhagnani). It wasn’t a home production, it was someone from outside. So, why don’t people look at the fact that I have done more films outside my family’s home production? So, that statistical knowledge gets ignored. It used to irritate me sometimes, but I mostly ignored it.”
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.