Shraddha Kapoor, who completes a decade in showbiz in 2020, has established herself as one of the leading actresses of Bollywood over the years. She was last seen in Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment’s actioner Baaghi 3 (2020), which could not do the kind of business it was expected to, due to the Coronavirus scare.
However, Kapoor is not perturbed by the underwhelming performance of Baaghi 3. “I have learned a lot through the films which may have not done well at the box office,” she tells a publication.
The actress made her Tollywood debut last year with the high-profile film Saaho (2019) alongside Prabhas. She says that her father, popular actor Shakti Kapoor, always encourages her to do films in other languages as well.
“He has done South films as well, and he encourages me to do films in any language, saying language need not be any barrier. Last year I was afflicted by dengue and at that time, my dad would get worried and say, ‘No way, if you are unwell, you should not go’. So, like any father, he too gets worried about my well-being,” she shares.
Shraddha, who debuted with Teen Patti (2010), has played a wide variety of roles in her career so far. She says that she likes to keep trying new things. “I have no conscious strategy for choosing any genre of films and I am open to doing films in any genre, even if I may not have done it before. I just try to make sure that I am playing varied characters. I love to be a part of good films, so I allow myself to go with the flow,” she concludes.
The actress next stars in an untitled film with Ranbir Kapoor. It will be directed by successful writer-director Luv Ranjan.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.