Actor Himansh Kohli, who is mostly remembered for his musical hit Yaariyan (2014), has been missing from the scene for quite some now. His last release was Dil Jo Na Keh Saka which hit the marquee in 2017.
His name was lately being linked to the upcoming season of popular reality show Bigg Boss. After being flooded with a slew of questions regarding his participation in Salman Khan’s controversial reality show, Himansh Kohli has now decided to put all speculations to end.
Refuting all rumours, the actor says, “Ok. Hear me out — NO! I like the show. It's a good concept and I like how Bhai (Salman Khan) leads the show and keeps everyone entertained. Currently, I am not part of it. But, I am up for an interesting pitch for next year.”
When asked about his opinion on the show, Himansh adds, “I watch it sometimes. I find it amusing, emotional and a mixed bag. But I don't prefer to get addicted to something which requires a lot of time away from work. This is why I don’t follow it religiously. And coming to Bhai, I have and will always be a fan of his work, no matter what the field is.”
The actor signs off by saying that he really wants to see veteran actress Rekha on the show. “I want to see Rekha Ji. If there is one person who no one has any insight on, it's her. She has so many interesting experiences to share.”
Bigg Boss 13 is slated to hit the small screen towards the end of September. This time, the set of the show has been shifted to Mumbai from Lonavala. Chunky Panday, Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Aditya Narayan, Dalljiet Kaur, Siddharth Shukla, Richa Bhadra, Mugdha Godse and Rajpal Yadav are some of the names doing the rounds as potential participants.
The official list naming all the participants is awaited.
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Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.