Bollywood star Tabu, who has had a great 2022 with the box office triumph of films like "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2" and "Drishyam 2", on Tuesday said the success of a movie belongs to every member of the cast and crew.
Both "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2", a horror comedy by Anees Bazmee, and "Drishyam 2", a mystery thriller led by Ajay Devgn, have emerged as two of the most profitable Hindi titles amassing over Rs 200 crore each in an otherwise dull year for Bollywood.
Speaking at the trailer launch of her next film "Kuttey", set to be released on January 13, Tabu said the success of a movie can't be attributed to an individual.
"First of all, it's the entire film's success, rather than one person's success. I've been an important part of both films. But the success and joy are shared with everybody who has supported the films.
"There's tremendous happiness for the films and what they've achieved because everybody works hard. Everybody deserves a share of the success. I feel a huge responsibility that I've fulfilled if a film has done well because somewhere I've been a part of that," the 51-year-old actor told reporters here.
Billed as a dark comedy, "Kuttey" marks the directorial debut of Aasmaan Bhardwaj, the son of Tabu's filmmaker friend Vishal Bhardwaj, who worked with her on "Maqbool" (2004) and "Haider" (2014).
While their directing styles are different, the father-son duo allow their actors a lot of creative freedom, she said, adding there is "no comparison" between the two.
"The creative exchange I have with him (Vishal Bhardwaj) is different from when I'm working with others. I have a lot of creative freedom when I'm working with him, also with Aasmaan.
"This (film) is very different from Vishal ji's films. There's no comparison. Of course, the aesthetics and many other things match with Vishal, but his cinema is different," added Tabu, who previously worked with Vishal Bhardwaj in "Maqbool" (2004) and "Haider" (2014).
The two-time National Award winner, who plays a cop in "Kuttey", revealed the part was originally written for a male actor.
"This character was written for a male actor. It was then changed for me. So, it was very challenging and fun for me. It's very different from my recent work," she added.
Previously, Vishal Bhardwaj had said he flipped the gender of his lead character in their upcoming spy film "Khufiya" for Tabu.
First-time filmmaker Aasmaan Bhardwaj said he is looking forward to the release of his film.
"I'm just really grateful and thankful to have got this opportunity. I'm just very happy to have fulfilled my dream... I just want to do good work," he added.
Vishal Bhardwaj wears multiple hats as a producer, music composer and co-writer with his son on "Kuttey". His frequent collaborator Gulzar has penned the lyrics.
"It was both a tough and easy job for me. Sometimes, Aasmaan took advantage of me, and at times, I did the same to him. But, he gave me the toughest time as a dialogue writer," he said.
The acclaimed filmmaker said he had pledged "to not visit the set" to ensure that nobody would feel he had contributed to the project as a director.
"When I saw Aasmaan's work as the rushes came in, I felt very happy. I'm thankful to all my friends standing here. They trusted Aasmaan. As a first-time filmmaker achieving this kind of work and working with these kinds of people, it's a huge thing in itself," Vishal Bhardwaj added.
"Kuttey" also stars Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Radhika Madan, Kumud Mishra and Shardul Bhardwaj.
(PTI)
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.