“I LOVE my profession and feel blessed to be an actor, but have always believed in having a healthy work-life balance. Life is a precious gift and gives us so many opportunities, so I try to make full use of them when I can. Here is a rundown of the things I like to do when there is time and ones that give me great joy.”
Travelling: Luckily, what I did not know is that being an actor means I would be getting to travel a lot and explore new destinations, which is something that I enjoy a lot. Either way, if I am not travelling for work, I try to travel with my friends for fun, and I want to see as much of the world as possible.
Painting: Whenever I have spare time, I love to spend it on drawing or creating a piece of art using paints. Earlier, whenever I could, I would buy art materials to experiment and recently shifted to digital painting, which is also pretty exciting. Like acting, art offers up endless creative possibilities and is something that helps me relax.
Reading: Whenever I have free time, I like to pick up a good book that I’ve wanted to read or one that my friends or family have recommended, so we can discuss it later. Great literature opens up brand new worlds and really lets you use your imagination. The most beautiful thing about books is that they are timeless and connect with people in different ways.
Eating: I love trying out food at new restaurants. As I am a big foodie, my best friend and I have a tradition of choosing some new place every week to dine at and try out some new cuisine.
Bicycle rides: Anyone who has ever ridden a bicycle will know how much fun it is. Perhaps not so often in Karachi, but I definitely do like hopping on a bike when abroad. Whenever I would feel slightly bored, I would pick up my bicycle and go travelling all over a city, even if I am visiting it for the first time.
Volunteering: I believe everyone should give back in some way and it is the most fulfilling thing you can do in your spare time. I love volunteering with (the animal charity) ACF and find it the most wholesome way to spend one’s time. Hanging out with the animals at the shelter and helping out is the best way to spend my time.
Acting: For an actor the craft never leaves you, so yes, sometimes when I watch Netflix I try to act out scenes of my favourite characters. The actor in me kicks in at the most unexpected times and that’s how I love spending my time. I believe that learning should never stop.
Scrapbook: I am a very nostalgic person, so I love to collect memories and one way is to maintain a scrapbook. I have multiple diaries with various cutouts from magazines and newspapers because I love spending time with my ideas and thoughts. I am documenting visuals for my future artworks.
Walking my own dogs: Going on walks with my brother and both my dogs also has a vibe of its own. I love going on long walks and talking about random things as my dogs enjoy their surrounding. Animals are honestly the best.
Friends and family: Spending time with my friends and family is a must. I have a small circle of very close friends and love having our hangouts where we can just listen to good music, and talk about random things. In fact, my friends are what makes a lot of things in my life more exciting.
Sabeena Syed is a Pakistan based actress, who starred in projects, including the films Parwaaz Hai Junoon and the TV serials Yaqeen Ka Safar, Mujhay Jeenay Do and Badbakht. Her upcoming projects include the film Babylicious.
Visit Instagram: @sabeena.s.official
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.