Talented actress Harshita Gaur made such an incredible impact with her debut TV serial Sadda Haq that she gained acclaim globally and got herself a cult following.
The rising star has become a powerful role model for her adoring fans and was voted the highest placed newcomer in Eastern Eye’s annual list of the 50 Sexiest Asian Women for 2016.
The fan’s favourite has now set herself up for even bigger projects in the future and looks likely to take the leap to the big screen. We caught up with Harshita to find out more about her. The down-to-earth actress also spoke about acting, Sadda Haq, future hopes, inspirations and more...
Tell us about the first time that you fell in love with acting?
(Smiles) I think I had fallen in love with acting one month after my show Sadda Haq ended, when I was badly missing it. Before that I think it was a long infatuation, but now that has become an eternal love.
Sadda Haq was your debut serial. What was it like facing the camera for the first time?
I was happy, excited, and have to admit a littlescared. (Laughs) It was exactly similar to what you feel on a rollercoaster ride, especially when suddenly going down the steep part.
When did you truly become confident in front of the camera?
I think I will only be able to answer this question after a lot of work I would have done, and I hope to do a lot of great work in the future. I am confident but it is always mixed with a little nervousness, which excites me instead. I see that nervousness as a positive because it actually saves me from being over-confident.
Did you ever imagine Sadda Haq would become such a cult show and your character Sanyukta Aggarwal would become so popular?
No I never imagined that at all, even though I was confident about the show. But in the beginning I never imagined or apprehended it would become such a success. Congratulations to the whole team for all their hard work.
Why do you think Sadda Haq did so well?
The story was amazing and connected really well with audiences. It was supported brilliantly by the producers and justified fantastically by the cast.
What are your fondest memories of the show?
The series gifted all of us working on it with so many magical moments. If I had to narrow it down, I would say when we were shooting outdoors in Film City for the entire village series.
What was it like working with your co-star Param Singh?
It was amazing to work with Param, he is a brilliant co-actor. We would do a lot of reading and rehearsal before our scenes. We shared such a comfort level with each other that improvisations was never a problem because we understood the other person’s emotion at that time in that scene.
Do you think that it ended too soon and would you go back to it?
I think it ended pretty much at the right time, but yes I would want to go back for some more time for sure.
Sadda Haq was popular with fans, but which series have you loved?
I loved watching Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.
Tell us about your current project?
(Smiles) So everyone has been asking me this question, which gives me immense pleasure as it shows how much my audience wants to see me back. I just want to tell all of them that I am just taking my time to do something that I really want to do. To be honest, sometimes I don’t like something, sometimes I am not liked, and sometimes good things that I have in hand take a lot of time to materialise. Even I want to be back soon! Let’s hope for the best. I am sure my fans want to see me bigger and better.
Talking of bigger, is cinema something that interests you?
Cinema is the only thing that interests me currently. Let’s see what the future holds.
What would be your dream role?
As an actor, you can’t have just one dream role because there are an infinite number of characters that one can play. But I do want to do something that sets as a good example for generations to come.
There are a lot of biopics being made; which real life character would you love to play?
I can’t name just one woman, but let’s say somebody who has been a combination of both soft and strong. Maybe someone like Rani Laxmibai in a film.
Which leading man from anywhere in the world would you love to be romanced by on-screen?
I think Bollywood actors are the best romantic actors in the world. If I had to choose one, I would love to be romanced by Shah Rukh Khan on the big screen. His eyes are just magical when it comes to romancing on-screen.
Tell us something about you that not many people know...
I think I have spoken a lot about myself in interviews, so people know pretty much everything about me as I am an open book. But I guess lately what many people don’t know is I am training in martial arts and enjoying it tremendously.
How did you feel being the highest placed newcomer in Eastern Eye’s 2016 list of 50 sexiest
Asian women in the world?
I felt like a sexy Indian woman who is loved by the people for her work, even beyond geographical boundaries.
What, according to you, makes a woman sexy?
The power in her eyes, the confidence in her voice, the innocence in her smile, and the elegance in her body language is what makes a woman sexy.
A lot of guys are in love with you. But what would it take for a man to impress you?
Humility will be the biggest quality of a man that would impress me.
How much do your fans mean to you?
Fans are everything for a performer. We work to make our audience happy and my well-wishers are just incredible. I would like to send a big hug to all of them.
What inspires you?
Life inspires me in so many ways. It could be my own life experiences or yours.
You always look amazing; what are your fashion inspirations?
(Laughs) I don’t think that I have a great fashion sense, nor do I follow the latest fashion trends. I just know how to look presentable. So I kind of manage with that the best I can.
Why do you love acting?
Acting is all about the feeling of being someone else momentarily. It allows you to see yourself through someone else’s window, and hence you not only discover about the other person you are portraying, but in the process you get to know yourself more also. It’s a beautiful process and profession.
Would you like to give a message to your fans?
I just want to say to all my fans that I love you. Thank you so much for loving and appreciating me. I know that you want to see me back on screen soon. I promise that I will never disappoint you and always work hard. Muah!
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.