Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who did many odd jobs before turning his dreams of becoming an actor into reality, enjoys a massive fan following today. He is a star in his own right. The actor has delivered several memorable performances over the years and always stays in demand in the industry.
In a recent interview with an Indian publication, Siddiqui was asked if he had to overcome any challenges of ‘not having a fair complexion’ in an industry that is obsessed with fair skin. Responding to the question, he said, “If they need fair people, then they need me as well. I am in demand. Darker complexions are in demand nowadays. The beauty that a camera can capture is very different. That is an honest kind of beauty. If I am honest in front of the camera, the audience won’t realise but even I’ll start looking beautiful."
Giving an example of rising Marathi actress Rinku Rajguru, the National Film Award-winning actor added, “Look at Rinku Rajguru in Sairat (2016). Despite having an unconventional look her presence in the film starts mesmerising you after a few minutes. At one point while watching the film I actually remarked, ‘Yeh ladki kitni khoobsurat hai'. I honestly believe that the camera captured the beauty of Smita Patil like no other Indian actress. According to me, she was the most beautiful actress on camera. I feel the on-screen beauty is very different from real-world beauty.”
On the work front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has several projects at various stages of development. He will next be seen in the romantic drama and a dark satire film called Tiku Weds Sheru, produced by Kangana Ranaut under her banner Manikarnika Films. His other upcoming projects include Afwaah, Sangeen, Adbhut, Jogira Sara Ra Ra, and Noorani Chehra.
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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.