Samantar, one of the most successful streaming shows on MX Player, is returning for its second season. While talented actor Swwapnil Joshi reprises his role as Kumar Mahajan, the edge of the seat thriller also features Nitish Bharadwaj, Sai Tamhankar and Tejaswini Pandit in pivotal roles.
After receiving thunderous response for its teaser, the makers dropped the trailer for Samantar 2 on Tuesday. The trailer highlights how one man’s karma is the other’s future, teasing the audience to speculate as to what could have possibly gone wrong for Kumar Mahajan.
Speaking about Season 2, Joshi says, “Samantar has exceeded all expectations and has put regional web shows on the map. It is narratives like this that break language barriers, cut across audiences and hold universal appeal. It has been over a year since the show first hit screens and I know that the fans of this franchise have been eagerly waiting for season 2. This edition will see Kumar’s journey take an unexpected turn as well as ask an important question – if you could know your future, would it be possible to change it?”
Veteran actor Nitish Bharadwaj, who is seen as Sudarshan Chakrapani, adds, “Season 1 received such great response to my new form as an actor, and it is good to see that audiences are open to experimenting with newer concepts. As an actor, I am excited to be part of this unique narrative. Season 2 will explore if Chakrapani’s life mirrors into Kumar’s life and will continue to follow Kumar’s search for answers, but of course with some interesting twists along the way.”
The Marathi thriller has also been dubbed in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages for a wider audience reach. It will start streaming on Thursday, 1st July exclusively on MX Player.
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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.