by LAUREN CODLING
ACTRESS Meera Syal has said a much-loved song from her latest West End venture is relevant to the “sorry state” of the world today.
Syal, who took over the iconic role of Miss Hannigan from Craig Revel Horwood in the hit musical Annie on Monday (27), said the song The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow is “right for the times”.
The West End show takes place in a New York orphanage ran by the cruel, alcoholic Miss Hannigan during the depression in 1930s America, and Syal thinks the story is more relatable than ever.
She told Eastern Eye: “This has been a crap year. The world is in a sorry state. We’ve had a lot to deal with in the country, and it is a song that says even when you think you’re at the darkest point, you have to believe it will get better.
“That’s a good message to hear – there is something about that song that really touches people.”
The self-proclaimed musical fan, who lists her favourite shows as Guys and Dolls, Cabaret and West Side Story, said she had been wanting to work on a West End musical for years, so is finally able to cross it “off [her] bucket list”.
“I have been offered [musical roles] in the past, but I wanted to wait for the right time,” she said.
Syal explained that Annie was a “classic” story she was familiar with as a child, reminiscing that she particularly loved American comedian Carol Burnett’s “brilliant” take of Miss Hannigan in the original 1982 feature film.
“Miss Hannigan is the baddie and I know she is quite cruel to the kids, but I do actually like her,” Syal said. “She is just like a load of other people were at that time. It was dog eat dog because if you weren’t ruthless, you would go under and starve.”
Syal confessed that the biggest challenge was perfecting her character’s dance routines.
“Everyone has been very patient with me, but because most of the time Miss Hannigan is sloshed, I don’t have to get the steps exactly right,” she joked.
Talking about sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry since the revelations of producer Harvey Weinstein’s behaviour, Syal claimed these sorts of activities have been going on for years and acknowledged the “silent conspiracy” around it.
She said: “Often, the people who are at the end of the abuse are in a very powerless position and are being taken advantage of by people who have the power to ruin their careers. I hope the conversation stays open.”
The writer, known for her comedic roles in Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No 42, isn’t the only member of her family involved in the entertainment industry.
This year, her daughter Milli Bhatia directed the critically acclaimed Hijabi Monologues, a theatre project focusing on stories of hijab-wearing women.
Syal described the “empowering” show as an opportunity for women “who are so often misrepresented” to have their voices heard. “I was so proud of [Milli], but then I’m an Asian mum,” Syal laughed. “We are always proud of our kids, whatever they do.”
Annie is running at London’s Piccadilly Theatre until February 2018
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.