Actor Anil Kapoor, who has taken over the hosting duties of Bigg Boss OTT 3 from his friend Salman Khan, on Tuesday said it would be wrong to say he has "replaced" the superstar as both of them have their own standing.
Colors TV reality show “Bigg Boss” is synonymous with Khan, who has been hosting it since its fourth season. To anchor the proceedings for the third season of its OTT version, the makers have roped in Kapoor.
Kapoor, who has co-starred with Khan in films such as “No Entry”, “Race 3”, “Biwi No. 1”, and “Yuvvraaj”, said the former presenter is excited about him stepping in as the host.
"He is irreplaceable and so am I. Everyone's asking this question but it is very wrong. Nobody can replace Salman Khan. Similarly, nobody can replace Anil Kapoor. I spoke to him about it and he was excited that I’ve now taken over a non-fiction show.
"I wanted to do something different for a long time now. I’ve done many movies, judged shows but have never done anything like 'Bigg Boss', so I’m very excited for it," the actor told reporters in Mumbai at the press conference of "Bigg Boss OTT" season three.
Calling Khan his younger brother and friend, Kapoor said "replacement" was an incorrect term and that actors often get replaced due to various reasons.
"Everyone has work, sometimes for some reason one can't do it or doesn't have time to do it. Recently, I've been replaced. I don't know the reason for getting replaced, but these things happen.
"Many people have replaced me, I've also replaced people. We are just doing a job, we should do it with a lot of sincerity and honesty," he added.
The 67-year-old also seemed unfazed when asked about being trolled on social media and being pitted against Khan as a host.
“Do it (trolling). How does it matter? Trolling is a part of life now. It is a part of social media, you have to face it. I've worked with honesty and sincerity, and by the grace of God, most of the times it (response) has been positive.
"Sometimes, a few things didn't work. Even when things don’t work, I still keep on doing different things. I've been here (in the industry) for 45 years and I must've done something right (in my career) that I'm still here today,” he said.
Kapoor, who was last seen in this year's action drama "Fighter", said he is looking forward to exploring newer kinds of films and shows, like "Bigg Boss OTT 3".
"I'm at the stage in my career where I want to do something I've never done before. I've done in a way a non-fiction thing on the film front, which was a global success that is 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
"I've done fiction shows on OTT ('The Night Manager') and television ('24'). So, this ('Bigg Boss OTT 3') was something I had not done. I thought why not do this? I'm happy to do it," he said.
Fights are common in every household and Kapoor said, as the host, he will deal with controversies in the "Bigg Boss" house wisely.
"If someone crosses a line, I'll have to be fair and firm. There would be a few things, which would be controversial in 'Bigg Boss' and they might be uncomfortable as well but all these things happen and that happens in life too. How you handle it is important.
"If the contestant will lie to me, I can handle that. I'll get to know if he or she is lying to me. But if they lie to themselves then it would be bad. I'll have to show some empathy and discipline. I'll also have to speak wisely with them. I'll have to be true to myself. Maybe some people will like it, some won’t. But I promise to be true to myself in every situation," he added.
Any celebrity he would like to see in the "Bigg Boss" house?
Kapoor said he would like Khan, Kapil Sharma, Karan Johar and himself to feature as contestants on the reality show, which should be hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
Starring over a dozen celebrity contestants, “Bigg Boss OTT 3” will premiere on June 21 at 9 pm on JioCinema Premium.
The makers have promised interactive features and an unfiltered ad-free 24-hour live channel, delivering an immersive OTT experience to audiences.
The upcoming season is produced by EndemolShine India, part of the Banijay Group.
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.