After weeks of speculations, it has been finally confirmed that handsome actor Karan Singh Grover has been roped in to play the iconic character of Mr Bajaj on popular daily soap Kasautii Zindagi Kay. Recently, producer Ekta Kapoor shared Grover’s look as Mr Bajaj on her Instagram account, which went viral in no time.
Today, the makers of the show launched a promo, featuring Karan Singh Grover as Mr Bajaj. Fans will soon see the actor enter Kasautii Zindagi Kay, which is currently the numero uno show on Star Plus.
Karan Singh Grover, who had bid adieu to television in 2013 after establishing himself as a household name with such successful shows as Dill Mill Gayye and Qubool Hai, was in two minds about returning to the small screen. He took a lot of time in signing KZK on the dotted line.
We also heard that charming actor Harshad Chopra was also in the running to bag the role of Mr Bajaj. However, Ekta Kapoor was quite keen on having Karan Singh Grover onboard and, after a lot of convincing, the actor finally agreed to do the show.
Original Kasautii Zindagii Kay had Ronit Roy in the role of Mr Bajaj. When the actor got to know from Ekta that Karan Singh Grover has come onboard to reprise the same role in the reboot version of the show, he wished him luck.
“Karan Singh Grover is finalized as the new Mr Bajaj and Ekta Kapoor confirmed the same too. KSG is the only actor who was in season 1 and now in season 2 as well. He is very lucky as he is getting a chance to be part of both the seasons. I feel that what Karan will do as Mr Bajaj should not be compared with my work as Mr Bajaj, as I did it 15 years ago. The time and the actors then were different. KSG is an accomplished actor. He will add his own flavour to the role. I wish that Karan does so well that people forget the original Mr Bajaj,” he shared.
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.