By: Mohnish Singh
Actress Saiee M. Manjrekar debuted on the silver screen with Salman Khan’s Dabangg 3 (2019), which turned out to be an instant money-spinner at the box office, despite receiving mixed response from critics and audiences.
After the huge success of the cop-drama, it was thought that Manjrekar would go on to sign several films in Bollywood. However, in a very surprising move, the newcomer announced the Telugu film Major as her next project. Later, she signed on to headline yet another Telugu film, Ghani. While Major is a bilingual biographical drama based on the life of 2008 Mumbai attacks martyr Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Ghani is a sports adventure film. Both films feature her in completely different roles.
Talking about taking up back-to-back films in Telugu, Saiee M. Manjrekar tells a publication, “For me, language will never be a barrier because I want to let my performance speak more. This is a lesson I learnt from my dad that for an actor, language should never be a barrier. It is the actor's performance that should do the work.”
She goes on to add that her signing of Telugu films was not an informed decision. “It was not an informed decision but the more I thought about it the more it made sense. When I read my character in Major, I fell in love with it. Some movies you read and you can imagine yourself doing this. The language was secondary. Then Ghani also happened. My parents told me that there is so much happening with pan-India films and wherever good work is happening, I should go,” she adds.
Directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka and produced by Mahesh Babu, Major has been simultaneously shot in Hindi. Well-known Telugu actor Adivi Sesh plays Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in the much-awaited biographical film. It is set to arrive on July 2, 2021.
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.