By: Mohnish Singh
Actress Radhika Madan, who transitioned from television to Bollywood, is yet to add a successful film to her credit. While her first two movies – Pataakha (2018) and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2019) – failed to set the box-office on fire despite receiving a good critical response, her third release Angrezi Medium (2020) could not get a long run in theatres due to the Coronavirus outbreak in March.
However, the box-office performance of her films has never disconcerted Madan. “Box-office never felt anything to me. My job is done on the last day of the shoot and during promotions. Till that time, I honestly do my work so that there are no shortcomings from my end. Rest is not in my hands,” she tells a publication.
No one can deny the fact that a clean hit at the box-office leads to an increase in actors’ paycheques. But Madan maintains that she cannot compromise on her work for anything. “That is not my funda. What matters is your work. I want my craft to speak so that I get good work because I am confident that I will recover the remuneration if I am here for long. For now, I do not want to compromise on my work. Even if the numbers do not work at the box-office but your craft is fine, you will get work. But if the film does well, but you failed to touch a chord with your performance, then how does it help? I prefer looking at this broader perspective.”
Radhika Madan, who was last seen in Angrezi Medium alongside late actor Irrfan Khan, next stars in Maddock Films’ Shiddat. Directed by Kunal Deshmukh, the romantic drama also features Diana Penty, Sunny Kaushal, and Mohit Raina on its ensemble cast.
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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.