By: Mohnish Singh
Kirti Kulhari is an actress who has proved her mettle not only in films but also in the web-space. She has been acting in web-shows since way before streaming media platforms became a hot thing in the entertainment space in India.
Talking to a publication, Kulhari says that the rising popularity and reach of digital media platforms have led everyone from top to bottom to reconsider their choices and whole career plans.
She shares, “OTT has changed the face of entertainment in India. Nobody saw it coming. OTT is not just at par with Bollywood but actually marched ahead especially in the Corona times. It has got a major push because of the whole situation. People, everyone from top to bottom, are reconsidering their choices, their whole career plans. OTT is going to be a big part of their plans; everyone’s plans in the times to come.”
Kirti Kulhari boasts of a few hugely successful digital shows to her credit, including Bard Of Blood (2019) and Four More Shots Please! Her show Four More Shots Please! has even been nominated for the 2020 International Emmy Awards in the Best Comedy Series category.
The actress adds that streaming media has forced creative people to get out of their comfort zone. “It is always nice to get out of your comfort zone. It has pushed people in ways they do not want to be pushed when you talk about creativity or a creative field. That is the only way to kind of go about in this kind of industry. I am glad OTT has done that. Internationally, it is leading in a way and I can see a similar change happening in the country,” she concludes.
On the work front, Kirti Kulhari will next be seen in The Girl On The Train. Helmed by Ribhu Dasgupta, the mystery thriller also stars Parineeti Chopra, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Avinash Tiwary in important roles.
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.