Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan, who is gearing up for the release of his much-awaited film Bhoot Police, says that he is spiritual but not particularly religious. Calling himself agnostic, he adds that too much religion worries him, much like the character that he essays in the horror comedy.
“I am agnostic in real life. I am very secular in the sense that I think too much religion worries me because they put an emphasis on the afterlife, and not enough emphasis on this life,” Khan tells PTI while sharing his thoughts on ghosts and God.
He goes on to add, “I find too much of religion to be an organization and too many problems associated with basically my God, or your God or whose God is better.” The actor says that he is religious in a way as he believes in a higher power. But what that power is, he has absolutely no idea.
“I pray and I try to focus my own energy on things. I am more spiritual. I am not about the afterlife... I have a very sad feeling that once you die, it is just lights out. That's the end, nothing more. I sometimes hope there is more. And I am not hundred per cent sure that there is not one. I fancy the older I get, the less convinced I am. I think that's a self-defence mechanism in the brain. I think the younger you are, the more you can be like this. But certainly, I do not get very carried away by the rules and regulations of religion.”
Talking about what led him to nod a yes to Bhoot Police, Khan says, “Something has to grab you that you would want to be part of the whole process. When you hear a story or when you read a script, you visualize the movie in a way and you think, ‘Is this what I wanted to do?’ This is one of the better scripts that I have read. There's more depth to it than I think people would expect and it is a really interesting film.”
Also starring Arjun Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Yami Gautam in lead roles, Bhoot Police is a Pawan Kriplani directorial, produced by Ramesh Taurani and Akshai Puri and co-produced by Jaya Taurani.
The film is set to premiere on September 10 on Disney+ Hotstar.
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.