With each passing film, Mrunal Thakur has been trying her best to find her footing in showbiz. The actress, who started off on television before her love for movies compelled her to move to Bollywood, enjoyed great success in 2019. She calls 2019 a dream year for her.
Mrunal impressed every one with her endearing performance in Super 30 (2019). In spite of the presence of superstar Hrithik Roshan, the actress managed to leave her mark and that was indeed a big achievement for a newcomer like her.
She followed Super 30 with an intense role of a journalist in John Abraham’s cop-drama Batla House (2019). She managed to garner appreciation here as well. “I cannot believe it is almost a year since I shot for both films,” says the actress, adding that after receiving positive reviews, she feels the responsibility of delivering consistently.
Just like the year gone by, 2020 is also going to be an exciting year for the actress. She will be seen in two much-awaited sports dramas – Jersey and Toofan. While Jersey features her alongside Shahid Kapoor, Toofan stars her as the leady love of Farhan Akhtar.
Talking about Shahid Kapoor, Mrunal says that he is a sweetheart and always supportive. Jersey is an official remake of the superhit Telugu film of the same name. The actress says that she has watched the original movie and now, when on the set, is often consulted by the director for inputs.
Shahid and Mrunal play parents to a young boy and the actress has no qualms about playing a mother so early in her career. “I have met girls who had kids in their early 20s. Even I played a mom of two in a commercial when I was 18. It is just acting,” she shares.
On Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Toofan, she says, “We shot most of the film in one go in Mumbai so the flow wouldn’t break. My character has a certain graph, and music is helping me prep.”
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.