Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma on Wednesday said his portrayal of a food delivery person in the upcoming drama feature Zwigato will not disappoint fans who are familiar with his repartee and observational humour as a stand-up artist.
Through Nandita Das' Zwigato, Sharma said he wants to present aspects of his personality other than funny bones.
“I do comedy 2 hours a day on my show, but I'm not like that for 24 hours. There are several facets to my personality, that I'd like to show. I don't think there will be any disappointment among fans as they'll also be keen to see what new I'm bringing to the table," the actor told reporters in Mumbai.
He was speaking at the trailer launch of Zwigato, produced by Sameer Nair of Applause Entertainment and Nandita Das Initiatives.
Recalling an incident during the film's Asian premiere at the 27th Busan International Film Festival last year, Sharma said Zwigato struck a chord with the audience in South Korea.
"After watching the film, people were crying there, and they didn't even know that I'm known for comedy. So, I don't think there'll be any disappointment,” he added.
Also starring Shahana Goswami, the movie is set in Bhubaneswar and follows the journey of a food delivery person exploring the world of the gig economy.
The actor, whose film credits include Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon and Firangi, said he never thought he would be part of Das' movie.
“I've always loved her work. I've watched both Firaaq and Manto. She makes very serious, thoughtful films. So, I never thought I'd be a part of her film. A big thank you to her and Sameer sir for considering me and believing I could be a part of such a subject. In India, we sometimes forget to focus on everyday people and their stories. So many beautiful stories are out there, we need to tell them more,” he added.
Sharma said he resonated with the story of Zwigato due to his past experience. “I used to work at Coca-Cola. We all do small jobs here and there when we first come to Mumbai. The product was transported in trucks. There were no apps back then. But, when Nandita ma'am came to me and told me what all difficulties delivery guys face, I could relate to that story a lot.”
The actor said he was curious why Das wanted to make the film with him.
"I asked her, 'Why me?' I didn't know whether to take her answer as a compliment or an insult. She replied, 'Even if global star Shah Rukh Khan would have agreed to do the film, I'd have not taken him, but chosen you because you have such a common face, it can fit anywhere in a crowd'," he added.
Das revealed that Zwigato was initially conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a four-director anthology.
“However, one by one, other directors backed out as they got occupied with bigger films. Then, Sameer Nair advised me to stretch this story to a feature film. I was reluctant, but then he kept egging me on. Slowly the story expanded, the characters became bigger, the roles of the kids grew, and it became a complete film,” she said.
Collaborating with Sharma may appear like joining "two opposite ends of the spectrum", but Das said they have a lot in common.
"Today, we connect over so many things, over the same jokes. We can even talk with each other late into the night and never get bored," she said.
Zwigato also stars Goswami as a homemaker, who decides to support her husband's (Sharma) income by taking up a job for the very first time.
“My character has her own journey and it's closely linked to his journey. What I liked the most is that we are truly partners in the film. We share everything, we do things together. It's a beautiful partnership,” she said.
Producer Nair termed Zwigato a "mainstream film". “This isn't a niche or art film or something presented in a very heavy manner. It's a mainstream film, which will appeal to everyone,” he added.
(PTI)
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.