BY LAUREN CODLING
ACTRESS Chetna Pandya’s enthusiasm about her new play, Of Kith and Kin, is infectious.
It tells the story of Daniel and Oliver who are looking forward to the latest addition to their brood – with a little help from their best friend and surrogate mother, Priya, played by Pandya, aged 36.
But is it all plain sailing and happy families?
“(The show) is so provocative,” she told Eastern Eye. “It is one of those shows that will challenge you. We all think of ourselves as these liberal, open minded people, but are we really? Can we really, truly be that liberal and open minded?”
Pandya has an obvious affection and warmth towards her character in the play. While describing her, it feels like she is referring to an old “vibrant, sassy, sharp and starkly honest” friend she’s known for years.
“She really has to face up to some big truths (in the play) and this is so wonderful because it’s so live and in this space, it’s so immediate what happens that it’s totally unforgiving and I love the fact that that’s the place that she’s at; that unforgiving, starkly immediate place in your life when you become a parent,” she said.
The actress, who has starred in hit television shows such as Black Mirror and The Aliens, can relate to the play’s central theme of families and becoming a parent all too well, as she is the mother of a two-year-old daughter.
“There is nowhere to hide,” Pandya laughed as she described her experience of being a parent.
“You have to face all your fears, all your demons and who you really are. Your child becomes a receptacle of all of those things, they become these extraordinary creatures because they are so pure.
“Any of the stuff you’re dealing with is what they will reflect right back at you and that moment is so unforgiving and so stark that if you are unwilling to face that part of yourself, then your child suffers and certainly for me, that’s not something that I’ve wanted to put on my baby.”
Of Kith and Kin is Pandya’s first job since returning from maternity leave and she said it
was a project that “lit up (her) Christmas tree lights”.
“I had to be a part of this conversation – it is such an honest reflection of all the questions that you ask yourself as a parent and I felt like it was a really landmark project for me to take that step back into theatre,” Pandya said.
So what is her hope for the audience? She hopes they will be “buzzing” with questions
about themselves, their own relationships and who they’re really making a stand for within their communities.
“That’s exactly what art should be. That’s exactly what theatre should be. It should totally be about looking at yourself and starting to make a change in your world, in your community. Start taking responsibility for being a community member,” she said.
Of Kith and Kin is at Sheffield Theatre from September 15 to October 7 and at the Bush Theatre in London from October 18 to 25
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.