Actors Tanuj Virwani and Divya Agarwal have joined Kunal Kemmu on the cast of Abhay 3, a ZEE5 Original series that marks the third season of its successful crime thriller show Abhay. It also features Vijay Raaz, Rahul Dev, and Vidya Malavade on the primary cast.
Tanuj and Divya will be seen portraying the characters Kabir and Harleen respectively. By day, they are your typical Insta-couple who live a life of luxury and excitement and cater to a humongous online fanbase which they regularly entertain with their fun and goofy couple challenges. However, by the night, these NRI Canadians portray a completely different side which will be revealed closer to the premiere of the series.
Tanuj Virwani said, “Having been a fan of the Abhay franchise, I am very excited to join Season 3. Kunal is an amazing actor and Ken Ghosh and I go back a long way as I started my journey in this industry by assisting him as a clapper boy. Divya is someone I have already worked with on other shows so joining this fabulous team of Abhay 3 was a no-brainer for me. This team has provided me the opportunity to stretch my acting chops and play a part, unlike anything I have done in the past. I am excited, hopeful and cannot wait for the show to come out soon on ZEE5 Global. I think this is going to be the best season yet”.
Divya Agarwal said, “I’ve been following Abhay and am an ardent fan of the franchise. So, when I was offered to play a role in Season 3, I couldn’t handle the excitement. Talking about my character - Harleen, she is complicated and to portray her quirks on screen was both challenging and thrilling. I am grateful to Ken for including me in this universe and I can’t wait for it to stream on ZEE5 Global”.
Kunal Kemmu will return as the investigating officer, Abhay Pratap Singh who has the mind of a criminal and can go to any extent to solve a case. Asha Negi, Nidhi Singh, Rituraj Singh, and Elnaaz Nourozi who were a part of the earlier season will return to their successful character portrayals in season 3 as well.
Abhay S1 premiered in 2019 and was an instant hit. The show returned in 2020 with another successful season after which the fans wanted more of the gritty drama. Hence the makers are back with S3 which will premiere soon on ZEE5 Global. Ken Ghosh who directed the first two seasons has also directed the third season of this successful franchise.
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.