A couple of days ago, we informed our readers that Colors’ popular offering Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki was in for a massive overhaul after its lead pair Vivian Dsena and Rubina Dilaik quit the show as they were not comfortable playing parents to grown-up kids post lead. While Dsena had walked out of the show a couple of months ago, Dilaik put her papers down only recently.
After the exit of the original lead pair, the makers decided to bring in a new pair to take the story forward. The revamped version stars Jigyasa Singh as the new female lead. Last seen in supernatural show Nazar on Star Plus, Singh will play a grown-up Heer, a transgender character, on Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki.
Talking to a portal, Jigyasa Singh said that initially she was apprehensive about playing a transgender on television. “I was a little apprehensive about the character but slowly I felt comfortable. But I know for a fact that the transgender community still faces a lot of difficulties and they are still fighting for basic rights as their identity is still not accepted by people. The show is about accepting who we are and knowing our inner power and we’re trying our best to spread the message,” said the actress.
She also added, “It is a very challenging role and for any actor it will be an honor to play this role. I have always wanted to do such strong and challenging roles and continuing the legacy of Rubina (Dilaik) was interesting to me and the transition into my character was a little easy for me because she has portrayed the character for three long years and it has received a lot of love and support from the audience.”
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.