If you have followed Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his work over the years, you would agree that most of his films have been dark in treatment. Even internationally acclaimed Sacred Games, a Netflix series which marked his digital debut, was too dark to watch with the entire family. After doing back-to-back dark films, the National Film Award-winning actor wants some change. He is now planning to do more light-hearted films.
Siddiqui is currently busy promoting his upcoming film Motichoor Chaknachoor which is in light space. The actor will be seen in a new avatar in the movie as he plays a 36-year-old man trying to find a wife for himself. He is romancing actress Athiya Shetty in the forthcoming movie which hits the marquee on 15th November.
Talking about the film, Nawazuddin Siddiqui said, “I wanted to do a light-hearted film as I had not done it in a long time. Also, my daughter has not watched any of my films, so wanted to do a film which she could also enjoy.”
The actor went on to add that he had loads of fun working on Motichoor Chaknachoor, “I had a lot of fun working on the film. Athiya is a good co-actor and we bonded really well. The set was very relaxed and after years, I got an opportunity to do such film which I instantly grabbed” concluded Siddiqui.
Produced by Viacom18 Studios and Woodpecker Movies, Motichoor Chaknachoor is directed by Debamitra Biswal. The movie is scheduled to enter theatres on 15th November, 2019.
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.