Actress Jameela Jamil, who can be currently seen in Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin on Peacock, has revealed that she worked as a ‘human test subject’ before beginning her acting career and becoming famous.
The She-Hulk star appeared on a recent episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, where she opened up about doing some odd jobs before becoming famous.
“I left school with no credentials because I left school just before my 17th birthday,” she said on the show. “I was hit by a car, very badly, and so when I came out, I did not really have any qualifications. I did not have a university degree. So, I had to do anything I could to make money. And I am not talented sexually, so I could not do porn.”
She further added, “I became a human test subject, which is where they, instead of testing on animals, test on humans. And I would let them test products on my skin and hair and body. And I had psoriasis for a decade, so don’t do that!”
The actress said she was willing to do anything at that point in time because she needed money. “But, you know, I was willing to do almost anything for money ’cause I was 19,” she signed off.
In an earlier interview, Jamil recalled the big lessons she learned from her difficult childhood and said, “I had such a difficult, shitty childhood. And the one thing that’s great about a difficult, shitty childhood is that it leaves you with perspective to recognise when it actually isn’t the end of the world. So that has helped me survive the stupid fucking industry and stupid fucking social (media) and realise that, you know, I think human beings aren’t always amazing.”
She added, “I was so fucking abused and neglected and rejected as a child that I’m almost like lab built to be an activist… I keep going. I keep coming back, and it is truly just being able to recycle all of that pain and rejection and be able to turn it into a kind of armour that maintains my focus. [It] is one of my favourite things about myself. I am proud of my ability to withstand extreme stress and my ability to see failure as cool, because it means that I was willing to try when success wasn’t guaranteed.”
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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.