Actress Mahima Makwana, who is a popular name in the Indian television space, says her years in television gave her the confidence to ace her debut role in Salman Khan and Aayush Sharma’s Antim: The Final Truth.
Starting out with smaller roles on daily soaps like Balika Vadhu and Miley Jab Hum Tum, the Mumbai-born actor got her breakthrough with the 2012 drama Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke.
“My experience on TV helped me tremendously in Antim. I surprised myself here with the confidence I showed and I owe that to TV. There are some people who degrade TV, its reach and have labelled TV actors as people who can't make it to the big screen, but that's not true,” she says.
The young actress goes on to add, “We go through extreme challenges to shoot for TV, long hours, we don't have time to prep, and are given scripts at the last minute. It is a delivery based medium. Working on TV, all those challenging years, widened my horizon and contributed to my performance in the film.”
Makwana has been auditioning since she was nine years old. The actor said she must have given at least 500 screen tests before she bagged her TV show in 2012. Antim also came to her through an audition call by the film's director, Mahesh Manjrekar. In Antim, Makwana saw the opportunity to break free from the set pattern of TV, which she was slowly getting into.
“While I was doing TV, I realised that it was time for me to break the pattern and challenge myself as an actor. Sometimes on TV, you have to get out of your comfort zone, see what others are doing and keep pushing yourself. There is no other way to grow," she adds.
Makwana features in the film as Manda- a headstrong, fearless tea seller. The film is essentially a star vehicle for Khan, which features a faceoff between his character of a cop and Sharma's gangster. But Makwana said Manda is not relegated to the background.
“We have a lot happening on the forefront, Salman sir, Aayush, but there is this one girl, who is liberating, has her own voice. You will see my character arc even in the limited scenes she has. She is vulnerable, strong and determined. My character adds value to the film. She is not just someone who is there for the sake of it. I know there is a perception that an actor's value is determined by the length of his or her part. But I didn't give much attention to how much I would stand out, or how to outshine... It was just the opportunity to make the best out of my part," she concludes.
Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, Antim: The Final Truth is set for its theatrical release on November 26, 2021.
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.