Singer Yasser Desai has sung some beautiful songs in Bollywood films and currently, he is busy garnering all the praises that he is getting for his melodious voice in the track Dil Maang Raha Hai from the film Ghost.
Directed by Vikram Bhatt, Ghost stars Sanaya Irani and Shivam Bhaargava in the lead roles. We recently caught up with Yasser and spoke to him about the song, if he believes in ghosts and a lot more…
Here are some snippets from our interaction with Yasser…
Did you meet Vikram Bhatt before the recording and what brief did he give you for the song?
I think songs like this don’t require a brief. It is a hardcore romantic track and the moment I heard the song I knew how I have to sing it. Vikram sir got me on board and he was pretty sure I will pull it off.
It is a romantic number, but it’s a horror film. So, do you believe in ghosts?
Kind of! As human beings, we have the fear of unseen, so I have never experienced it, but I believe in it.
From the past couple of years, there has been a debate about why actors are turning singers. So what’s your take on it?
I have heard a few actors sing, like Parineeti Chopra. I have heard her and I think she is pretty good. So, if they are good at it then why not. There’s no harm or there’s no limitation that an actor can’t sing and a singer can’t act. Ayushmann Khurrana is doing both and pulling it off like a boss. If they are doing it well, then why not.
As you are quite good looking, any plans of trying your hands in acting?
Thank you, that’s quite a compliment. But no, I can’t act. Basic thing to become an actor is to know how to act and face the camera, I am sure I am bad with that.
You have sung many songs and most of your songs are romantic tracks. But which genre you want to explore as a singer?
I think I have covered most of the genres. One genre that’s left right now is a qawwali. So, I would love to do an out and out hardcore qawwali track.
Who is that one composer you dream to work with?
Right now it’s Vishal-Shekhar. Also, MM Kreem sahab, I would love to work with him.
You have sung for many big stars like Akshay Kumar, Sidharth Malhotra, and others, but who is that one actor you would want to playback for?
It is Emraan Hashmi, hands down!
What’s happening next?
There’s Bole Chudiyan with Nawaz Bhai (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), I have a few beautiful songs in that film. There’s Motichoor Chaknachoor again with Nawaz Bhai and Athiya Shetty. I have a beautiful song in that movie and then there’s Drive. Overall I have around 15 to 16 songs before the year ends.
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.