Amazon Prime Video’s series Mumbai Diaries 26/11 is created by Nikkhil Advani who has earlier directed films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, D-Day, Batla House, and others.
The series is a medical drama set against the backdrop of the Mumbai terror attacks that took place on 26th November 2008.
We recently spoke to Nikkhil and when we asked him how he got the idea of Mumbai Diaries 26/11, he said, “I have always been fascinated by medical dramas like Chicago Hope, Chicago Med, Code Black, and even a show like Mash, it is a comedy, but I have always been fascinated with the doctors, and frontline workers. The word ‘frontline workers’ is something that we have discovered in the last two years because of the pandemic. I wanted to tell the story of doctors, nurses, and the hospital staff.”
“When we started the research, I went into government hospitals of Mumbai city, and we saw the lack of infrastructure they (medical professionals) are working with, lack of facilities, lack of medicines. But, they (medical professionals) are passionate, brave, and courageous, they are heroes. So, we started writing a medical drama, it was called Bombay Hospital at that time, and then we kept on writing,” Advani added.
Further talking about how he wanted to showcase what frontline workers go through in their day-to-day life, the filmmaker said, “The logline of the show is ‘Those who are meant to heal, are sometimes the most broken’. We forget that doctors have their own problems at home, we forget that the ward boy might be wondering how to get his daughter married or send her to school; these are the problems that Indians face every single day. We forget about the insecurities or disparities that women in these hospitals have to go through. These are the things I actually wanted to talk about, but while we started writing it became bigger and bigger."
"Mohit Raina’s wife in the series is stuck at the Taj (hotel), so Taj came into the story. Mansi, who is a reporter, gets the breaking news so her story came into play. So, with all these things story itself started spreading. It seems like a story of a hospital, but it became the story of a city, the people, and the power of survival," he added.
Nowadays even before season one starts streaming, the makers plan a season two of their series. When asked if he has a concept or an idea for season two of Mumbai Diaries, Advani said, “I have an idea, but I can’t tell you right now (smiles).”
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.