Resumption of shooting has brought smiles on several faces, but there are some actors who have decided to prioritise their health and keep work at arm’s length until the Coronavirus situation improves.
A couple of weeks ago, we had reported that how Karan Singh Grover walked out of his popular show Kasautii Zindagii Kay as he was not comfortable joining shoots amid the Coronavirus scare. Now, another actor from the same show has put down his papers.
Yes, you read that absolutely right! We are talking about Kunal Thakur, who played the character of Kaushik on Kasautii Zindagii Kay. The young actor is not willing to resume shoots amid the Coronavirus scare as he does not wish to risk his health.
Thakur does not want to travel to work amid the pandemic and thus decided to bow out of the show. Confirming the same, he informs a leading publication, “My area is a containment zone and I do not have a driver who will take me to work every day. I am very new to the industry and I feel that I am not equipped to combat such a crisis while I am shooting. I would like to stay at home until the scare settles.”
Not only Karan Singh Grover and Kunal Thakur, but several other actors have been replaced on Kasautii Zindagii Kay. Sumaiyya Khan has been replaced by Tehseen Shah as Sneha, while Ashish Bharadwaj has come onboard as a replacement for actor Amit Raghuvanshi. If reports are to be believed, newcomer Akash Jagga has been roped in to replace Kunal Thakur on the show.
Keep visiting this space for more updates and reveals from Telly-town.
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.