AN ACTION-PACKED career has seen Jason Tham balance reality TV with acting in films and top TV serials.
The Indian actor of Chinese origin has shown off his range in diverse projects and carried that on with recently released JioCinema serial Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond. He stars alongside acclaimed actors like Jimmy Sheirgill and Lara Dutta in the Hindi language cross-border war drama based on real events about the Pulwama attack, and its aftermath.
Eastern Eye caught up with him to find out more about his journey.
How do you reflect on your journey so far?
I think God spoke to me one day and told me you will achieve things not by luck, but by hard work. My journey as an actor has been like a bumpy rollercoaster ride, but one thing common in all my projects has been my passion and hard work, which is why I am where I have reached today.
Which project has been closest to your heart?
Closest to my heart was a show I did in 2015 called Agent Raghav. Why was it close to my heart? Well, that’s where I met my wife. She was playing the antagonist, and we were the protagonists of that show. That’s also the show where the whole cast became my friends.
Tell us about your new web series?
My newest web series is Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond, which is streaming on JioCinema. It is based on the Phulwama attack and Operation Balakot.
Tell us a little bit about your character?
I play Victor Maisnam, a special agent under the military intelligence unit headed by Kashyap (Jimmy Sheirgill). Victor was an integral part in the success of the operation.
How does a web series compare to films?
Web series are usually vaster in storytelling. You get to the depth of each character and backstory, whereas in films you only have limited hours to show the whole narrative.
Did you learn anything new while working on this web series?
We all know about the Pulwama attack and the Balakot air-strike, but no one knows what went behind the operation. I have been fortunate to be part of untapped information about the operation and feel immense pride of being part of an event that will go down in history. This series has been very informative to us all working on it and for audiences.
Who do you think will connect with your latest series?
This series will connect with everyone, as the infamous Pulwama attack on 2019 and how we retaliated back, is still etched to our minds.
Looking ahead, do you have a dream role?
I would love to portray an intense negative, disturbed character.
What do you enjoy watching?
A show that I binge watched regularly is hit comedy Friends.
What inspires you as an actor?
The whole process to become an actor. The knowledge around us, observation, speech, reading, singing, dancing, action and everything else that is associated with it is inspiring. Every day there is something new to learn and add to my arsenal.
Tell us something not many people know about you?
A lot of the inspiration for my characters comes from video games.
Why should we all tune into this new series?
The gripping drama shows how we courageously retaliated to the threat against terrorism.
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.