Sonali Bendre, who made her acting debut with Aag (1994), was quite a popular actress till the late 90s. After settling down with filmmaker Goldie Behl, she decided to devote more time to her family and hence, career took a backseat for her. However, she kept playing brief characters here and there.
The actress also explored television in between. She was busy judging the second season of a popular talent hunt show India’s Best Dramebaaz when she was diagnosed with cancer and had to rush to the US for treatment.
After battling cancer and getting her life back on track again, Sonali Bendre is eager to make a return to movies. Talking about plans to revive her career in Bollywood, Bendre told a publication that if she likes any project, she will do it. “Yes, definitely. Whatever comes my way, and if I like it, I will do it,” said the actress.
Battling cancer is not an easy thing. Asked if her fight with cancer is going to affect her process of choosing projects, she said, “Of course, it has. My decisions have changed because what is important to me now is to find joy in my work. I don’t want to do anything just because it pays well. I should like the people I am working with, should enjoy the role I am playing. Post the illness, there are a lot of factors which dictate my choice of work.”
There is a long list of movies where Sonali Bendre impressed everyone with her performances. Be it Major Saab (1998), Sarfarosh or Lajja (2001), her performance has been applauded in many films. It will be really interesting to see her back on screen and spread her magic again.
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.