Television actors have been facing discrimination in Bollywood for years, but now more and more actors seem comfortable about sharing their bitter experiences in the industry. Over the past few months, a number of television actors have come forward and talked openly about the kind of discriminatory behaviour they had to face in the industry when they decided to try their luck in movies.
Well-known actor Gurmeet Choudhary shares his struggle story when he decided to make a transition to films after establishing himself as a popular actor on television. “My dream was to be on the 70mm screen. But after sincerely doing TV for years, there came a point when I felt that I should try films because I wanted to take on a new challenge in life. I had achieved a lot on TV and I wanted to do a film. And during that time, I was told by many that ‘You are a TV star. When people can watch you for free on TV who will buy a ticket to watch you on screen?’ I faced it a lot,” shares the actor, who debuted on the big screen with Mahesh Bhatt’s romantic horror film Khamoshiyan (2015), which turned out to be a hit at the box-office.
Choudhary adds that things changed positively after the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput successfully transitioned from TV to films. “He proved that even TV stars have audiences in theatres. If you give us a break then we will also get an audience. He opened doors for me in films. Before that, I was struggling to get films and people were not taking me seriously. But after Sushant proved himself and I was also given a grand launch. That prejudice ended then. I keep getting films and people started taking me seriously,” says the actors.
When asked about nepotism and favouritism in Bollywood, Choudhary did not deny its existence but said that the audience is also to be blamed for the culture. “I want to ask the audience that if you have so much problem with star-kids then go and watch the films of newcomers who are getting launched. The audience has to show interest in them as well but they are more interested in star-kids. If a new actor is launched today even if it a small film, they should support them, write good comments on their posts and stop crying ‘nepotism, nepotism’,” concludes the actor.
Gurmeet Choudhary will next be seen in the upcoming film The Wife.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.