Produced by Ekta Kapoor under the banner of Balaji Telefilms, Kumkum Bhagya is one of the most popular shows on Indian television. Currently running in the sixth year of its telecast, it still garners the highest number on TRP charts. While actors Sriti Jha and Shabir Ahluwalia play the lead pair on Kumkum Bhagya, the show has several other talented actors playing prominent characters.
If you are an avid watcher of the show, there is a bad piece of news we have got to share with you. Actress Naina Singh, who plays the character of Rhea Mehra has bowed out of the show. Singh had joined the cast in 2019.
Talking about her exit, the actress told a news channel that she quit the high-profile show in February. However, she had not made an official announcement about the same so far. The actress said that she decided to leave Kumkum Bhagya as she was not happy with her role and also has some good offers in her pocket.
“Yes, I have left the serial. However, I left from Kumkum Bhagya in February. But till now, nobody had talked about this. Now the time has come to tell that I am no longer part of the serial Kumkum Bhagya. I had other good offers coming and the main reason for leaving the show is that I was not happy with my role,” she said.
If reports are to be believed, Maera Mishra has been roped in to replace Naina. Mishra, who has previously played important roles in such shows as Bahu Begum and Maharaj Ki Jai Ho, will join the cast as soon as the television industry resumes shooting after the lockdown. However, an official announcement confirming her entry is yet to be made.
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.