Taapsee Pannu has always managed to grab the eye balls with her scintillating performances in Bollywood. The actress, who is currently gearing up for Manmarziyan and Soorma, spoke about how Bollywood became her career without planning for it. In an interview with a leading Indian daily, "I didn’t even plan Bollywood! I did my first film just to experience something new, and not start a career. I was filming Jhummandi Naadam (2010, Telugu), my debut film, and Aadukalam (2011, Tamil) at the same time. After both released, and when I saw the audience reaction to the first one, which I felt I was really bad in, I thought that if it can turn out like this even without really aiming or planning for it, what if I work on it like a proper career? That’s where it started."
Talking about her commercial hits like Judwaa 2, she said, "Working in a hugely, commercially successful film benefits everyone. I got a 10-minute role in Baby, but it landed me a title role [in Naam Shabana, 2017], which a lot of actresses don’t get even after working for decades. What matters is how good you are in the screen space you get."
Adding further, she said, "Agar humein safe play karna hota, toh yahaan pe nahi aate (If I had to play safe, I wouldn’t be in this career. We have to jump into the competition, and prove ourselves every moment."
Talking about her film journey, she had said to a leading Indian entertainment portal, "I don't have any complaints. My audiences have been kind to me. I always say that jiska koi nai hota uski janta hoti hai. I have no godfather in the industry. They have been considerate towards me knowing the fact I don't belong to the film background. They know me for my work and not something else and that's what I am happy about. Nothing to regret right now and I have been slow and steady."
She added, "To break the initial glass was difficult. You constantly go out and tell your worth, which is difficult and awkward. The struggle hasn't ended yet and I still have to face that. It's difficult and it's like every Friday is an examination for me. There is a risk of failure that I will have to start from scratch. It's not a pretty stable sort of a surface for people like me, considering the background I come from."
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.