MOVING from the world of Jubilee to the set of Stree 2 was an adjustment for Aparshakti Khurana, but it’s a challenge he welcomed.
The opportunity to engage with two vastly different projects in such a short span is something few actors experience so early in their careers.
Khurana, who made his film debut in 2016 with the blockbuster Dangal, quickly became known for his impeccable comic timing in films like Stree and Luka Chuppi.
By 2023, he had emerged as a breakout star in Vikramaditya Motwane's period drama series Jubilee, where he portrayed the humble Binod Das, who eventually transforms into the film star Madan Kumar.
With the commercial and critical success of Amar Kaushik's Stree 2 now under his belt, Khurana is pleased with the direction his career is taking.
"People spend their lives waiting to be part of projects like these. It happened so early for me in my career. And coming onto the set of Stree 2 after (Jubilee)...
"These are two different spaces, the storytelling, acting, the look, even the eyes, everything is different. Both these projects have given me a lot of good fortune and love. I am looking forward to Stree 3," the actor told PTI in an interview.
Stree 2, the latest title from producer Dinesh Vijan's ambitious horror comedy universe, takes off after the events of 2018's Stree where the ghost of a courtesan, who was wronged in her mortal life, comes back to Chanderi to help Vicky (Rajkummar Rao) and his friends fight a new mystical enemy called Sarkata.
The second part also stars Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, and Abhishek Banerjee. Vijan has already announced that they are moving ahead with Stree 3.
Khurana said it is thanks to Vijan, Kaushik and writer Niren Bhatt that most of the cast and crew that worked on the first film in the franchise returned for the sequel.
"It doesn't happen often that all people who were part of the first film in a franchise would be back for the second one bringing growth in their individual space. It is extremely amazing if that happens.
"But at the same time, there might be a problem putting them together again because all those people are returning along with their own journeys, successes, and growth."
The 36-year-old actor said the top brass on Stree 2 ensured everyone was "calm and composed" while working on the much anticipated second part.
"Even during narrations, (they would) keep everyone calm and composed so that we don't need to take the stress that we are making the second part, that we have to do numbers or that we are coming from our own journeys.
"The way we went into Stree was exactly the way we went into the first film. And the result is for everyone to see. There is this love and respect for each other. That friendship is there on and off the camera," he added.
One of the film's highlights is Khurana's character Bittu singing Soft Chitty, a hilarious Indian spin to the popular lullaby Soft Kitty, which features in the American series The Big Bang Theory. He sings the song to put his girlfriend Chitty (Anya Singh) to sleep.
The actor, who can more than carry a tune, said he was rolling with laughter when Bhatt told him about this song during the narration.
"I laughed so hard that my stomach started to hurt. Performing that scene was equally fun. And, when I watched it on screen, I laughed even more," he added.
Stree 2 is being praised for seamlessly blending laughs with scares and Khurana is happy that he got to add another layer to Bittu, who gets hypnotised by Sarkata and starts believing in supreme patriarchy.
"At one point, you are doing comedy and getting scared by the horror and then, suddenly, you go over to the other side. That's what made me extremely happy and excited about pulling this off. When my eyes go white, I think he becomes a different character that I had to catch on to playing. All in all, I'm happy how these layers have been accepted by the audience."
Next up for him is the espionage drama Berlin, which will see him play a sign language teacher who is entrusted with the job of interrogating a hearing and speech impaired man accused of being a spy.
"Berlin has received a great response at different film festivals. We hope the film will also be appreciated when it releases on ZEE5. This film didn't require me to pick up any dialect, but I had to learn sign language, which was one of my most favourite things to do in this film. Your filmography should boast of every kind of cinema. I'm lucky I'm getting to be part of such diverse projects."
Music has been a constant in the family, something that was passed on to him and his actor-brother Ayushmann Khurrana by their grandmother and father, who loved listening to Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, and Manna Dey.
The first song he remembers listening to was Rafi's Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re from 1960's Kohinoor, starring Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari.
When he was doing look tests for Jubilee, someone told Khurana his side profile resembled Dilip Kumar's, a similarity for which his grandmother had given him ₹11 (£0.10) as shagun years ago.
"At that time, I wondered who this Dilip sa'ab was because of whom I got these ₹11. But I was very happy that day."
The actor, whose latest song Zaroor is a rage on streaming apps, said he regrets not taking up training in classical music in childhood.
"It would have made me a more complete musician. But I recently picked up the harmonium and my daughter often joins me in the evenings." (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.