After months of speculations, it has been finally confirmed that popular television actress Nia Sharma is onboard to play one of the female leads in the upcoming season of the superhit supernatural revenge drama Naagin.
Now, speculations are rife that her former co-star Krystle D’Souza may also join her on the cast of the much-awaited series. For the uninitiated, Nia Sharma and Krystle D’Souza earlier played siblings in Star Plus’ immensely successful series Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai.
Reacting to the rumours doing the rounds in telly land, D’Souza told a publication, “Oh yes, then it is going to be Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Naagin Hai. Who was the first name that popped up during Naagin 1? It was me! For Naagin 2, 3, it was me again. So, for the fourth season, it has to be me. My name has to pop up (every season) because apparently I look like a snake,” said the actress.
Krystle, who is winning rave reviews for her performance in Ekta Kapoor’s web-series Fittrat, added, “You have to wait and watch. That is the great part of being a part of Balaji family. We keep our secrets really strong. I am going to be speculated to be the Naagin till season 41 and then I’ll be like the mother of Naagin.”
Nia Sharma, who has been seen in a couple of digital shows of late, was announced as the first actress in Naagin 4 through a social media post by producer Ekta Kapoor. To be made under the banner of Balaji Telefilms, Naagin 4 will hit the airwaves on Colors towards the end of the year.
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.