A new original mystery series Mrs Sidhu Investigates, starring multiple award-winning actress and one of the best-known South Asian TV personalities on British TV, Meera Syal, is set to begin on Wednesday 4 October at 8 pm on UKTV Drama. Before the new drama series begins its run, here is everything you need to know about it.
Mrs. Sidhu Investigates is about the life of Mrs. Sidhu who is always trying to solve crimes. After losing her husband, she has to run her new catering business and help her son, Tez, find his true passion. She keeps giving out her own kind of justice to people who think they are above the law. Her journey into the world of detective work takes an unexpected turn when she starts an unofficial partnership with DCI Burton, a long-suffering divorcee.
Before being turned into a TV series, Mrs. Sidhu Investigates was brought to people’s attention on BBC Radio 4, with Syal voicing the titular role.
“There was a real appetite to get Mrs Sidhu on TV but I didn't think it would ever happen because making the transition from radio is so rare. It still has warmth and humour — but our canvas is bigger now!” Syal earlier said.
In addition to Syal, Mrs. Sidhu Investigates also stars Gurjeet Singh who takes on the role of Tez while Craig Parkinson plays DCI Burton in the TV show. Gordon Kennedy is seen as De Vries, Vanessa Vanderpuye as Lori Mckenzie, and Jade Harrison as Selene Melville.
The show is created by Suk Pannu.
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.