The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has brought the entire entertainment industry to its knees. While several high-profile Bollywood movies have missed their theatrical release over the past two months, the television industry has not been in a great space either.
With no shooting permitted, almost all shows have exhausted their episode bank. The makers are forced to rerun old episodes and, in some cases, the channel has decided to re-telecast their old hit shows.
These are not the only issues that the television industry is facing at the moment. Over the past two months, several shows have been axed abruptly and the list just seems to be growing with the passage of time.
The latest news is coming in that Star Plus’ hit show Nazar 2 is also bidding adieu to the audience. Producer Gul Khan confirmed that the weekday thriller, which recently transitioned into the second season, will no longer be returning to the small screen.
Khan took to her Instagram and confirmed development. “Sad but true … Nazar to go off-air now. It feels like it was just yesterday it had launched! TEAM NAZAR, what an amazing job you guys did! The most loving team of actors and technicians and writers I ever worked with! Thank you all of you for this wonderful journey! And thank you Star Plus for this opportunity! It was roller coaster!!!! ??? to many more to come!” she wrote.
Season 1 of Nazar aired from 30 July 2018 to 18 February 2020 and featured Antara Biswas, Harsh Rajput and Niyati Fatnani on its cast. It turned out to be a big success on the channel. Second season premiered on 19 February 2020 and starred Monalisa, Sheezan Mohammad and Shruti Sharma in important roles.
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.