Shahid Kapoor is undoubtedly one of the best actors in Bollywood. Ever since making his silver screen debut with superhit college-caper Ishq Vishk in 2003, he has starred in a number of successful movies and explored multiple genres, be it drama, action, romance or comedy.
Though Shahid has been working as an actor in the industry for close to one and a half decade now, it was the year 2019 when he delivered the most successful film of his career with Cine1 Studios and T-Series Films’ Kabir Singh alongside Kiara Advani. Made on a moderate budget, the movie went on to smash several box-office records and raked in an impressive Rs. 278.24 crores as its lifetime collection.
His success and film choices have really impressed his father Pankaj Kapur. During a recent interview, Kapur opened up on Shahid Kapoor and called his son wiser than him. “My son has been wiser than me in terms of his career graph. He saw to it that he became a star first and start to get all the roles that he wanted to do. I think it was a smarter move.”
Kapur went on to proclaim that his son is his own generation’s one of the best actors. “But I must also say, not because I am an indulgent father but he is his own generation’s one of the best actors and he has proved it with films like Haider (2014), Kabir Singh (2019) and Padmaavat (2018).”
Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor is presently busy preparing for his next film which is an official remake of Telugu blockbuster Jersey (2019). The film stars the actor in the role of a cricketer and hence, he is sweating it out on the field these days. The untitled film will be directed by Gowtam Tinnanauri who also helmed the original. The movie will hit the marquee on August 2020.
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.