On Friday, we informed our readers that Star Plus was gearing up to pull the plug on their popular daily soap Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke as it registered a sharp decline in TRPs over the past few months.
Now, the development has been confirmed by none other than Shaheer Sheikh who plays the male lead on the show opposite actress Rhea Sharma. Talking about the show bidding adieu to the audience, the actor told a publication, “It is a good show and I am happy with the kind of response we have got for this show.”
He went on to add, “We somewhere knew that the show will go off air as the ratings were not great, but it will happen so soon, did not expect that. I am someone who is happy with shows working for a year and Yeh Rishtey… worked for more than a year. I am satisfied. It was great working with the team.”
Produced by Rajan Shahi of Director’s Kut Production, Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke was a spin-off of Star Plus’ long-running show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Apart from Shaheer Sheikh and Rhea Sharma, the spin-off also featured Kaveri Priyam and Avinash Mishra in important roles.
Though there is no official confirmation, we hear that Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke will be replaced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms’ keenly-awaited Saath Nibhana Saathiya Season 2 in the month of October.
Shaheer Sheikh, who is one of the most sought-after actors on Indian television, has never taken a long break from acting. So, it will be interesting to see what he picks up next. Keep visiting this space for more updates.
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.