MASSIVELY popular movie star Hrithik Roshan turns a year older on January 10 and celebrates the 22nd anniversary of his stunning debut film Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai on January 14.
Eastern Eye decided to mark the actor’s 48th birthday and his record-breaking first step into Bollywood by preparing a watchlist of his top 10 performances.
Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000): One of the greatest cinematic debuts in Bollywood history saw the actor take audiences by surprise with an award-winning performance. He plays two contrasting characters in a film that is very much about two distinct halves and showed incredible all-round star potential, from his ability to deliver power-packed emotions to stunning dance moves, not seen before by a Hindi cinema hero.
Koi Mil Gaya (2003): The stunning science-fiction film showed the world there was a lot more to Hrithik than being a pin-up, as he delivered arguably the greatest acting turn of his career. He lost loads of weight and changed his entire body language to play a mentally challenged young man, and then transformed himself again to play a muscle-bound heroic figure. He, not surprisingly, won a truck full of awards for his perfect performance.
Krrish (2006): It was always going to be a difficult task to follow up multi-award-winning film Koi Mil Gaya with a sequel, but instead of being crushed by the pressure the actor delivered a game-changing superhero. The film would lay the foundation for the superhero genre in Bollywood and that was largely thanks to a magnetic performance on-screen by an actor on top of his game. It was so good that he returned for another heroic turn as the same character in Krrish 3 (2013).
Dhoom 2 (2006): There perhaps has never been a Bollywood villain who has been so charming, dashing, and magnetic as in this action sequel. That was largely due to the actor’s immense screen presence as a master thief, with a mysterious past, in this blockbuster hit. Despite the movie being a multi-starrer, all eyes were on the actor and there has been demand for him to reprise the role ever since.
Jodhaa Akbar (2008): There was great power in this nicely nuanced performance as a historical ruler in this breath-taking period film. He captures the essence of a real-life ruler by using the intensity of his voice and facial expressions, which are elevated by regal outfits. It was no surprise that he won most of the Best Actor awards for his hard work.
Guzaarish (2010): The deeply emotional drama, written and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, may not have clocked up big box office numbers, but what it did have was phenomenal acting from Hrithik Roshan. In perhaps the most challenging role of his career, the actor plays a paralysed magician-turned-radio host, who files a petition in court seeking permission to end his life.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011): The multi-starrer about male bonding had a majestic turn from the marvellously versatile actor. Although he looks heroic, the actor shows a rare vulnerability in his relatable role and goes on a journey of self-discovery that connected strongly with audiences. He received several Best Actor nominations at various Bollywood award ceremonies.
Agneepath (2012): It was always going to be a huge task to take on a classic role made iconic by Amitabh Bachchan, but Hrithik rose to the challenge in this hit remake. He plays an everyday individual, so hellbent on revenge that he ventures down a decidedly dark path and the result is an incendiary turn that set fire to the big screen.
Kaabil (2017): The actor has always shown immense bravery with his choices right from the very beginning and this smart action thriller continued that trend. He plays a blind voice-over artist, who takes the law into his own hands and becomes a vigilante. The result was a multi-layered performance that had not been seen by a commercial Hindi film hero before.
Super 30 (2019): The chameleon-like actor transformed himself once again in this biographical drama and was almost unrecognisable. He plays mathematics teacher and educational game-changer Anand Kumar in this powerful story, filled with inspiring moments. Like so many of his films, he breathed emotion and left a lasting impression.
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.