Kajol was one of the reigning queens of Bollywood when she decided to tie the nuptial knot with Ajay Devgn in 1999. Though she did not quit acting after getting married, she did limit her work and was seen in only four films between 2000 and 2008. The actress returned to the silver screen with the 2008 film U Me Aur Hum, which was directed by her husband Ajay Devgn.
Before marrying Ajay Devgn, Kajol had given her nod to star in filmmaker Suneel Darshan’s next directorial venture, Jaanwar (1999). Darshan was one of the most sought-after filmmakers in the 90s and 2000s and every leading actor wanted to work with him. However, he was in for a surprise when Kajol had to walk out of his film because of her impending wedding to Devgn.
In a recent interview, Suneel Darshan said that Kajol was already roped in to star alongside Akshay Kumar and Karisma Kapoor in the film. However, he soon received a call from the actress’ mother Tanuja who told him that Kajol would have to drop out. Her exit paved the way for Shilpa Shetty.
Darshan said, “Kajol was supposed to do the role that eventually went to Shilpa Shetty in the film Jaanwar. She was locked for it, to be honest, verbally locked. But we got to know later…”
He added, ‘One day, Tanujaji called me to her house and broke the news. She said, ‘You know, she is getting married, and they don’t want her to pursue a career’. I said no problem, it had been a pleasure, they had been very nice to me.”
Meanwhile, Kajol still continues to work in films and is looking forward to the premiere of her next, titled Salaam Venky. Directed by Revathi, the film also stars Mardaani 2 fame Vishal Jethwa in an important role.
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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.