If you are a huge admirer of television actress Helly Shah and have been missing her dearly ever since her last show, Sufiyana Pyaar Mera, went off-air on Star Bharat, here is an exciting piece of news for you. The popular actress is returning to headline yet another high-profile show, titled Ek Baar Phir Ishq Mein Mar Jawan.
As the title aptly suggests, the forthcoming series is a sequel to Colors’ hit revenge drama Ishq Mein Mar Jawan. While the first season of the show had Alisha Panwar and Arjun Bijlani as the lead pair, the sequel features Helly Shah and Vishal Vashishtha in lead roles. This is the first time when Shah and Vashishtha have joined forces to headline a daily soap. Besides them, the show also stars actor Rrahul Sudhir in an important role.
Colors has unveiled the teaser of Ek Baar Phir Ishq Mein Mar Jawan. In the teaser, we can see that Vishal and Helly are head over heels in love with each other. But in a surprising move, Vishal asks her to marry his rival to prove her love for him. Helly is shocked to hear this and does not know how to tackle the situation.
Toplining another show on Colors is like coming home for Helly Shah since her previous show Swaragini – Jodein Rishton Ke Sur ran for a long time on the channel and made her a household name. Vishal Vashishtha is also returning to Colors after his last show Vish: A Poisonous Story ended a couple of months ago.
Ek Baar Phir Ishq Mein Mar Jawan is expected to hit the airwaves in the time slot left vacant by Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss 13 towards the end of February 2020.
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.