Actor-Singer Piyush Mishra did not mince his words when speaking about why Bollywood is earning lower than South Indian films nowadays. In a conversation with ANI, the Gangs of Wasseypur actor said, “Directors of South Indian film industries are more intelligent, have more IQ and are more innovative compared to us (Bollywood directors). It is our foolishness that we are working on the same formula forever”.
“Films from South India like Pushpa are typical of their genre with lots of action, violence and flashy sequences but it is presented to the audience in a new way. I also worked in a South Indian film named Indian 2 with Shankar recently. In my first experience working with him, I realised how innovative he was. He presents the same concept in a variety of ways and represents the culture better,” the Tamasha actor added.
The Gulal actor also noted that South Indian languages like Tamil and Malayalam are ‘very old languages’ and parts of ‘very old cultures’, which is why the filmmakers there ‘research very well’ on the ‘detailing of their films’.
On being asked whether films which can affect people’s lives deeply are still being made, the 59-year-old actor told ANI, “No such films are being made in North India”.
However, Mishra did mention director Rajkumar Hirani and his film 3 Idiots’ as one of the exceptions.
He also had a strong opinion against ‘Parallel cinema’. “Commercial films mean ‘art made for commerce’. Hence, ‘parallel films’ don’t exist. Unless your films are entertaining a large mass of people, they cannot be called ‘cinema’ and South Indian filmmakers know this,” The Shaukeens actor told ANI.
The Bhindi Bazaar actor also expressed his viewpoints about the recently emerging ‘Boycott culture’ in India against films, calling it ‘both right and wrong to an extent’.
Mishra, who is also a singer, is set to perform in Raipur as part of his Aarambh Hai Prachand concert series with a big band.
He is also writing a book titled Tumhaari Aukaat Kya Hai Piyush Mishra (What’s your status Piyush Mishra?) which is an autobiographical novel set to come out on January 13, 2023.
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.