There is sadness but also hope that the friendships that she formed on Never Have I Ever will continue to thrive beyond the show, says series lead Maitreyi Ramakrishnan ahead of the premiere of the final season of the popular young-adult drama.
The fourth and final season of the Netflix series, created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, will premiere on June 8. Ramakrishnan and her co-stars Darren Barnet and Jaren Lewison sat down for an interview with PTI where they spoke about the show that changed their life and life ahead.
"Definitely, there is sadness... More of this sadness comes because such a great thing is ending. We all know all good things come to an end, right? We are just sad that we won't be able to create this one specific project together. That does not mean we won't be able to create anymore," Ramakrishnan said.
"We are definitely going to portray amazing characters going forward. It is just that this one specific project Never Have I Ever will be done, which is sad to think about but the nice part about it is that it is not fully a goodbye because our friendship has grown outside of the show. I'm not like never seeing these guys again," she added.
Ramakrishnan, a Sri Lankan-Canadian, was just 17 when she landed the role of Devi, an overachieving Indian-American teenager growing up in Southern California, US, who is mourning the death of her father while navigating life as a high school student in the hit Netflix show.
Whether it's about dealing with life's anxieties or sweet cravings, the 21-year-old actor said she will reach out to Barnet and Lewison whenever she is Los Angeles.
"I'm still going to bother Darren like 'Hey, what are you doing?' and just respond to all the cool things he does on Instagram and I'm like 'Dude, I'm jealous of your entire life. I just wanna be you'.
"Anytime I have any bother in life, I am just anxious. I will be like 'Hey Jaren! Or anything dumb or I see anything baking related and I am like 'Can you bake this for me?' Anytime I come to LA, I tell these guys, 'Can we hang out? I'm free'. So, that part is good," she added.
Ramakrishnan said the show changed them in "more ways" than they could have imagined.
"It was a big thing for all of us and I don't think we could have anticipated even how vast it would be and how much of an impact it would make. My whole life changed, right upside down. I never thought this is how my life would go when I said yes to my best friend and (I was) hanging out with her to make a little video at my community centre," said the actor, recalling the moment she sent in her audition tape.
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.