The first season of Rajiv Satyal’s unique YouTube show What Do You Bring to the Table? featured guests from Deepak Chopra to Savan Kotecha. After tasting success with the first season, the popular comedian is returning with a second season. All the episodes will be available on his website by October 1 and will feature some “desi” celebrities.
“The producer and I were clear that we wanted desis but not the ones who were exclusively known in the desi community,” Satyal tells a leading publication. “So, you have Russell Peters but you also have Aasif Mandvi,” he adds.
The show will also feature Maitreyi Ramakrishnan who is presently riding high on the huge success of her globally popular second season of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever. Her inclusion has certainly generated a lot of buzz.
“It was incredible that she was on the cover of Time. I can only imagine how special it was for the desis,” remarks Satyal. “Teen dramas these days are no longer the ditzy, superfluous kind. You have shown like Atypical or 13 Reasons Why – there is more to them than what meets the eye. They are more self-aware and socially conscious. It is an interesting time for such conversations. And honestly, there is so much more humour to them as well because they are so layered. They are not the cheap easy jokes, but the long, satirical jokes that pay off at the end which are so much richer.”
In addition to Ramakrishnan, What Do You Bring to the Table 2? will also feature comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host Hasan Minhaj. Minhaj and Satyal go back a long way – they were roommates for two years in Los Angeles when they were starting out.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.