By: Mohnish Singh
A couple of media outlets recently reported that Nawazuddin Siddiqui was set to play the lead antagonist in Tamil superstar Vijay’s next film, which Nelson Dilip Kumar is set to direct.
However, Siddiqui has denied being a part of the untitled film. The award-winning actor says that he is done playing dark negative roles for now and there is no truth to the rumours of him taking on a villainous role in Vijay’s film.
The actor goes on to add that watching a slew of films from all around the world during the Coronavirus-induced lockdown made him realise that there is so much more to explore as an actor.
“There is so much to learn from every actor. During the lockdown, I watched films from all over the world. Every film, every performance has something to teach me. There are so many different platforms for acting from stage to street plays to cinema. I don’t admire actors. I admire performances,” he adds.
Siddiqui, who had multiple releases on streaming media platforms in 2020, says, “I saw this Hong Kong film In The Mood For Love (2020). And I was blown away by Tony Leung’s performance. I thought Michal Keaton was mind-blowing in Birdman (2014). But my favourite performance is Leonard di Caprio in Wolf Of Wall Street (2013). He played the character as wildly as possible not bothering about pitch and rhythm. I like that sense of unpredictability in the performance.”
On the work front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has three films in the pipeline. He will next be seen in Bole Chudiyan, alongside Tamannaah Bhatia. Then there is a thriller film called Sangeen. The actor will soon start shooting for his next Jogira Sara Ra Ra.
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A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.