Sidharth Malhotra brings different charm on screen. After his debut in Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year, the actor has worked in movies of varied genres. Sidharth is currently promoting his upcoming film Aiyaary.
During an interview with a leading Indian daily, Sidharth was asked to comment about how has his career shaped up and whether he is happy about it. Sidharth said, "I can never be happy. I can’t be absolutely satisfied. It’s a mirage...to be completely satisfied, especially in our business. In this industry, if one Friday is very satisfying, another might not be, and I have had my fair share of both in this journey. It has definitely helped me grow and got me to experience both, the highs and the lows. So, it’s a great experience. It’s training me in some way to do better and bigger things and preparing me for the future."
"As of now, I am happy that I have tried different things. Yes, some have worked, some haven’t, but that’s an experience that I will be taking forward. The kick of just trying something that’s out-of-the-box and not expected of you is great. Be it an Iteffaq where I had a negative role or even Aiyaary...or even Ek Villain’s Guru, who was an extremely aggressive character. It’s not like I have anything against the run-of-the-mill, mainstream films. I love them and grew up on them as well, and I will do that, but my instinct on these stories was that they need to be told... they will be newer, fresher. But I have also learnt not to be fearful of making different choices and listening to my instincts," added the actor.
On being asked, if he deliberately chooses to do realistic roles, Sidharth said, "I think the stories have also changed because the audience wants to watch them now. Today, real stories are being accepted in the mainstream in a commercial way. If you look at Aiyaary, it’s my most real film in that sense. We haven’t used any sets, they are all real locations. We have shown what they are likely to do, how they would behave. We are playing real-life spies, not the James Bond kind of characters. It’s a good variety that I am not playing larger than life. Doing it with a director like Neeraj Pandey, who has done so well in this zone, is a great opportunity."
Adding further, he said, "The fear of shying away from trying new things isn’t something that overwhelms me. I haven’t shied away from trying new things, but I like to balance both — something that is very typical with something that’s edgy and out-of-the-box. If I can balance both these things in one year I think it will be a great year."
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.