Tabu, without an ounce of doubt, is one of the finest actresses of Indian cinema. She can breathe life into any character and make it memorable with her unapparelled acting prowess. In 2019, she impressed everyone with her powerful performance in family entertainer De De Pyaar De which also starred Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh in central characters.
The National Film Award-winning actress kick-starts 2020 with her upcoming film Jawaani Jaaneman. Besides her, the movie also features Saif Ali Khan and debutante Alaia Furniturewala in lead. Talking about her role, Tabu says that she was delighted to play the character of a free-spirited mother in the movie.
“(My character) is free-spirited, almost like a hippie. She randomly gets into relationships, and has a child out of wedlock. As actors, we are searching for something that can show us in a different light, and this film offered that. It is a cameo but I knew I wanted to do this film at the first reading. This character is whacky and deserves a stand-alone film,” says the actress.
“The look had to be right because she can’t be understated. My stylists (Subhash Vagal, Sanam Ratansi and Hiral Bhatia) shopped in London, and added big boots, oversized jewellery, and gave me curly hair to complete the look,” she adds.
When asked about playing a mother in the film, she says, “I am not one to have a strategy for my career. So, I have never looked at the age of a character, her marital status or the length of a role. (All that mattered was) that the role had an impact.”
Made under the banners of Pooja Entertainment, Black Knight Films and Northern Lights Films, Jawaani Jaaneman is helmed by Nitin Kakkar. The film is set to arrive in cinemas on 31st January, 2020.
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.