By: Mohnish Singh
National Film Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee has joined hands with filmmaker Neeraj Pandey for a forthcoming digital show. Titled Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century, the show is part of a new India-special initiative by Discovery+ featuring popular celebrities.
Starting December 15, Mission Frontline (Rana Daggubati), Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil (Randeep Hooda), and Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century (Manoj and Neeraj) will premiere on Discovery+.
Bajpayee, who has previously teamed up with Neeraj Pandey on such films as Special 26 (2013), Saat Uchakkey (2016), Naam Shabana (2017), and Aiyaary (2018), said in a press statement that being a part of the show was an enriching experience.
“Being a part of Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century was enriching in many ways because I got to learn so much more about ancient India. The archaeological discoveries made at Sinauli tell us so much about our history and about ancient civilizations that existed more than 4000 years ago. I have been able to see ancient Indian history from a new perspective,” said the actor
He also shared a poster on the micro-blogging site Twitter and wrote, “I have been able to see ancient Indian history from a new perspective through Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century coming soon.”
Manoj Bajpayee was most recently seen in ZEE Studios’ Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari (2020). Co-starring Fatima Sana Shaikh and Diljit Dosanjh, the social satire was among the first few films to have a theatrical release after theatres opened their doors for the audience after being shut for almost six months in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. The actor next stars in Dial 100.
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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.