Well-known Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is a popular name in India. He has been a part of some commercially and critically successful Bollywood films in the past, including Khoobsurat, Kapoor & Sons, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
Khan, who can be currently seen in his latest outing Money Back Guarantee (2023), recently spoke to BBC Urdu and opened up about the immense amount of love he receives from his fans across the border.
“For my Indian fans, I am grateful for your love and for nurturing and praising my talent. I am very grateful and I have a lot of love for you all,” he said.
The actor went on to add, “Pre-2016, whatever time I spent in India with my fans and my friends, it is a memory that will live on with me forever. Even now, when you guys appreciate my work, it fulfils my heart and gives me comfort. And it puts a smile on my face. Thank you so much.”
Khan further spoke about his love for acting and why he loves this profession so much. “I will say this for myself and not others but as actors, sometimes there are characters that you don’t feel like doing, that your heart does not settle on. So, you naturally don’t do it with all honesty. But what you do with utmost sincerity and you perform what is genuinely close to your heart, then there’s no bigger reward than that,” Khan said. “Money, awards, all of them come short in front of that. As an actor, you are your best judge and I think you’re also your biggest audience. You play the biggest role in your career, boosting your self-confidence and I think every actor has experienced this once where they felt that a performance was the best they could’ve done. That’s the most beautiful thing about acting.”
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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.