Actor Kiara Advani says early rejections and recent successes Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Shershaah have given her a sense of clarity about the kind of films she wants to be a part of.
The actor made her debut in 2014 with Fugly and featured in films like MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) and Abbas-Mustan's 2017 thriller Machine, but it was the 2018 Netflix anthology Lust Stories that proved to be a career turnaround for her.
"I feel grateful for the start of my journey, even though there were things that didn't work out. I am grateful for the support I got from people, who gave me those chances and believed in me," Kiara told PTI in an interview.
In the past three years, the actor has been a part of two back-to-back blockbusters Kabir Singh and Good Newwz and critically-acclaimed Netflix film "Guilty"-- which she said has helped her find her "voice".
"Today, I have understood more about myself, which wasn't the case earlier. I started when I was 21. I didn't know who I was, who I wanted to be, what I wanted to say... I had a dream of becoming an actor, but I didn't know what kind of stories I wanted to tell or what my voice was," Kiara, 29, said.
With success, the actor said she may have gained clarity, but playing unique characters was always on her wish list.
"I don't think success played a part in empowering me to make braver choices back then. When I chose to do Lust Stories or Guilty, I was not at my peak. Lust Stories was a choice I made because I wanted to work with Karan Johar. These films did well and pushed my career. It was all instinctive. Success makes you feel a sense of responsibility."
After last year's OTT release Shershaah on Prime Video, Advani returned to the big screen with the horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which has emerged as one of the biggest hits of the year so far
Her upcoming projects, Dharma Productions' Jugjugg Jeeyo, and Govinda Naam Mera, are billed as big-scale entertainers. She will also be seen with RRR star Ram Charan in an untitled film
The actor wants to reach out to a larger audience, she said.
"I want to do films which will warrant a community viewing experience, want to be a part of films that reach out to a larger audience. Fortunately, all my three films are made for that. I want to make films now that families can go and watch. That is really my goal," Kiara added.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.