Amruta Khanvilkar started out on television and then moved to Marathi cinema. But the talented actress also keeps appearing in strong supporting roles in Hindi movies. She is currently drawing praises for playing a brief but important character in the recently released film Malang (2020), helmed by Mohit Suri. In the movie, she is seen as a simple catholic girl paired opposite Kunal Kemmu.
Heaping praises on co-actor Kemmu, Amruta Khanvilkar says, "Kunal is a thorough professional. He went through a rigorous training routine and on set he used to work out to look what he has looked in the film. Since I am a Maharashtrian, he had this habit of speaking to me in Marathi which made me super comfortable. He being a fine actor not only helped me in my performance but people also loved our chemistry.”
The actress is pleased that she has managed to register her presence in movies with her powerful supporting characters. She is also glad with the fact that Hindi filmmaker do not come to her with typical Marathi characters, something which happens a lot with actors from Marathi cinema.
“I am glad that filmmakers are not giving me typical Marathi roles which happen quite a lot when you are from the Marathi industry. I am glad that I am not getting typecast. I am happy doing what I am doing. Today, supporting cast is bringing their own game and are quite responsible for the success of the film,” she said in conclusion.
Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Luv Ranjan and Bhushan Kumar, Malang stars Aditya Roy Kapur and Disha Patani in lead roles. Anil Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu and Amruta Khanvilkar are seen playing powerful supporting characters.
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.