Working with the likes of Gulzar, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Tabu was always on the "bucket list" of Arjun Kapoor and the actor says he is glad that his wish has been fulfilled with the upcoming film "Kuttey".
The dark comedy, Kapoor said, marks the culmination of his ten-year journey of hard work to find his "groove" as an actor. "It was on my bucket list to have Gulzar saab's name attached to one of my films, to work with Vishal sir, to be able to share screen space with Tabu, Naseer sir... If I can sum it up, 'Kuttey' is a journey of ten years of hard work to find my own groove and niche as an actor," the 37-year-old told reporters here.
"Kuttey" marks the directorial debut of Aasmaan Bhardwaj, son of Vishal Bhardwaj, known for critically-acclaimed titles such as "Maqbool", "Omkara", "Kaminey" and "Haider".
The filmmaker has also produced, composed music, and co-written the story with his son. His frequent collaborator Gulzar has penned the lyrics.
Kapoor said it was amazing to be a part of an ensemble cast that also includes Konkona Sen Sharma and Kumud Mishra.
“As an actor, if I feel I could be a part of this amazing ensemble after 10 years and work with such amazing actors, most of them for the first time, it's just a very big tick mark on my bucket list as an entertainer and performer and the quest to be a better actor," he said.
With "Kuttey, the actor said he took himself out of his “comfort zone”. "You never stop learning in this profession. Success and failure keep happening, but you never stop learning. My choice to do this film was to get out of my comfort zone in mainstream cinema. I just wanted to do something that really excites me and also makes me very nervous. I was very nervous about sharing screen space with such amazing actors and doing a film which isn't perhaps as mainstream as what people are used to seeing me doing," Kapoor added.
Praising the first-time filmmaker, Kapoor said Aasmaan Bhardwaj was well-prepared and clear about his approach toward the film. "He was so clear that we had to just pay attention to what he wanted. He didn't come with questions, in the sense, he was excited to see what we did, but genuinely, he was very clear. Sometimes, we asked if he got it (the right shot), but he had no doubts. He knew exactly why he needed what he needed, and he'd move on to the next shot. There was a certain structure in which he made the film, he was very precise," the actor said.
Co-star Naseeruddin Shah agreed with Kapoor and said the newcomer was not "nervous" about working on his first feature. "If the director knows his job and the actors know theirs, I don't think there should be any problem at all. Aasmaan may confess to being nervous, but I didn't feel he was nervous at all, I think he was very well prepared," he said.
Also starring Radhika Madan and Shardul Bhardwaj, "Kuttey" is scheduled to be released in theatres on January 13, 2023.
(PTI)
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.