Juhi Chawla, who began her acting career more than three decades ago with Sultanat (1986), has played a vast variety of roles in her storied career. From playing an innocent, love-stricken girl in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) to sliding into the skin of a shrewd politician in Gulaab Gang (2014), Chawla has shown her terrific range in a number of movies.
Her earlier films, which still garner good viewership on television, were popular with people from all age groups. Be it children or grown-ups, her popularity amongst all segments of the audience propelled her to the apogee of stardom. So, when Juhi Chawal says that her own children do not like much of her work, it comes as a surprise.
Talking to a publication, the award-winning actress said that she tried showing her children Jahnavi and Arjun a couple of her films, but they did not show any interest. She added that her son even once told her that he would not watch any romantic film featuring her as it gets very strange.
“Actually, they are very embarrassed to see my films, especially the earlier ones. In fact, my husband (Jay Mehta) told them to watch Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke (1993) saying that it is quite a cute film. Then, Arjun asked me, ‘Mom, is there romance in that film?’ and I was like, ‘Yes, it is a romantic comedy.’ To this, he replied, ‘I don’t want to see your films that feature romance. It gets very strange. So, I am not going to watch any of your films.’ And that’s it! They don’t want to watch any of my films,” said the actress.
She concludes by saying that Main Krishna Hoon (2012) and Chalk n Duster (2016) are the two only films where they appreciated her performances.
Last seen in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019), Juhi Chawla next stars in Sharmaji Namkeen, which will mark the final onscreen appearance of veteran actor Rishi Kapoor who died of cancer on 30th April, 2020.
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.