Just like the rest of us, celebrities are also cooped up in their homes. Everyone is keeping themselves busy and entertained by engaging in a variety of activities during the ongoing lockdown period.
National Film Award-winning actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui feels that this free time has given him an opportunity to rediscover himself as an artist and sharpening the nuances of his craft. He adds that one can say that he has gone back to being an acting/cinema student all over again.
“I watch back-to-back movies, at one go, of one particular favourite actor of mine, such as Anthony Hopkins, Daniel Day Lewis, Ricardo Darin and Tony Leung, etc. Then, I move on to another actor’s films. That way, I understand how the same actor must have gone through preparing for such different parts. So, I get a sneak-peek into his mindset and processes,” Nawaz reveals.
He goes on to add that he just cannot sit through time-pass movies. “The idea is to watch tough, path-breaking work. I feel people, especially the younger generation, are also watching that kind of work on OTT platforms. So, after this period, time-pass films may start looking out of place. And accordingly, our filmmakers also have to alter their craft.”
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who was last seen in Motichoor Chaknachoor (2019), was busy shooting for filmmaker Kushan Nandy’s next film when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed the lockdown.
When asked if he missing work, Nawaz says, “I’m not because I am a kind of person who adjusts and gets accustomed to different situations. The world is going through an extremely tough situation. This pandemic will give all us a different perspective and a completely new outlook towards everything. And whoever sticks to the same old mindset, will appear odd and outdated.”
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.