The Chase star Paul Sinha has revealed that his battle with Parkinson's motivated him to try musical comedy.
The 53-year-old was diagnosed with the degenerative neurological disorder in May 2019 and has been open about his experiences with it.
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Paul spoke about his diagnosis, he said, “I have a very positive outlook to the whole thing which is good for your health. And will help slow down the disease. I was diagnosed in May 2019 and Parkinson's has been a big part of my comedy shows. I'm the only comedian at Edinburgh this year to have a deteriorating neurological disease.”
Paul further opened up about how Parkinson's motivated him to try musical comedy as “eventually I won't be able to play the keyboard at all.” “I've become a musical comedian in the past two to three years, mainly because I've always wanted to be a musical comedian. If I don't do it now, when can I do it? Because eventually, I won't be able to play the keyboard at all. So while I still can I've turned myself into a musical comedian. The audience know that I can't really sing and I'm not especially good at the keyboard but they know that because I've got Parkinson's. So like all forms of stand-up comedy, it's a relationship between you and the audience. The audience have faith in you and they're on your side.”
Earlier this year, Paul paid tribute to his husband Oliver while appearing on Loose Women as he gushed that Oliver had been making his life so much easier after his Parkinson's prevented him from driving last year and doing everyday tasks like dressing himself.
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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.