Parminder Nagra, known for her roles in Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and the critically acclaimed NBC medical drama series ER, will soon be seen in a new ITV medical drama Maternal, which follows three female doctors returning to post-pandemic frontline medicine after maternity leave.
Featuring Nagra in the role of paediatric registrar Dr Maryam Afridi, Lisa McGrillis as Acute Medicine registrar Dr Helen Cavendish, and Lara Pulver as surgeon Catherine MacDiarmid, the six-episode series is set to hit the airwaves this month.
Talking about the three primary characters, Nagra tells a publication, “These are human beings first and foremost, they are not robots. They have thoughts and feelings. Yes, they have a job to do. And they took an oath, to uphold whatever they are doing but they are also living and breathing human beings that have families and work incredibly hard and have to juggle the things that these women are juggling within the show.”
This is not the first time Nagra is playing a doctor. Her previous shows ER and Fortitude also featured her in similar roles. When asked if she does not want to steer clear of another medical show, she said, “I have played a few doctors before, it seems to be my niche! But the thing that really attracted me to Maternal was the humour in there and the drama of it, so it allowed me to do all of it. I do think it's important because I think that's real life, you can be going through the darkest moment in your life, and then something will happen that will crack you and you'll be laughing the next second.”
The actress is currently raising her teenage son Kai. Remembering her early days with her newborn, she said, “I think it was more of a shock than I thought it was going to be, to be honest. I remember at one point, crying into a burp cloth. You're like, ‘Oh my god, there is this little being that is completely reliant on me.’ There's even a picture of me leaving the hospital, kind of looking at the camera, like, ‘what do I do now? With this?’ It's a big adjustment. It's not just taking care of yourself. Everything is about making sure that that little person next to you is okay. And from the moment you conceive, you never stop worrying.”
Maternal is scheduled to air on ITV1 on Monday 16th January at 9 pm.
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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.