By: Sophie Wallace
British Asian actor Naveen Andrews, who features in Hulu’s The Dropout – about fallen biotech star Elizabeth Holmes - talked to Variety about playing the role of Holmes’s boyfriend Sunny Balwani in the show.
Holmes (played by Amanda Seyfried) was a Stanford University dropout (hence the show’s title) and founder of Theranos, a company that claimed to have revolutionised blood testing methods by using tiny amounts of blood e.g. from a finger prick.
Holmes was found guilty in January of defrauding investors in her blood-testing start-up Theranos.
Andrews, 53, plays Balwani, Theranos’ chief operating officer (COO) and Holmes’ secret boyfriend.
In the interview, Andrews noted how the Theranos story had “Shakespearean dimensions” to him.
He said, “I mean, I thought of Macbeth, to be honest.”
Andrews described how he felt Balwani was the Lady Macbeth character in the saga and highlighted how Holmes and Balwani, “had started at the outset, it seemed, with good intentions. And how you can then move from those good intentions — because of acquiring great power, wealth — into uncharted territory.”
Andrews also said he found researching the role of Balwani interesting, in particular, his heritage from Sindh Province, formerly in India but now in Pakistan.
“I was interested in that sense of displacement, and questioning of identity and rootlessness, which I feel I have an empathy with,” the actor said.
He also discussed the nearly two-decade-long age gap between Holmes (38) and Balwani (56) and the impact of such age gaps.
“If there’s a fundamental imbalance in the relationship, it opens the door to all sorts of toxic behaviours from both parties that one can use to undermine the other,” Andrews said.
The Dropout has aired its first three series on streaming platform Hulu and has four episodes left in its run.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.