Actor Kitu Gidwani says she often misses the bygone era of the 1980s and '90s, regarded as the golden age of television, and believes the onus is now on streamers to reach the same level of "creativity and intelligence".
Gidwani, whose acting credits include popular serials such as Junoon, Swabhimaan, and Shaktimaan, said the decades preceding the 2000s were a creatively rich period for the small screen.
Asked if she looked back fondly on the memories of '80s and '90s shows, Gidwani told PTI in an interview over the phone: "There is definitely nostalgia for that time. It was a period of full creativity. You didn't have a channel to bow down to. The producers were given free reign for their creativity. All kinds of serials were produced whether it was by Doordarshan, DD Metro, or the first few (satellite) channels like Zee." There was Banegi Apni Baat, Ye Jo Hai Zindagi, and all kinds of nice comedies. You also had Tamas by Govind Nihalani, fun thrillers. It was amazing. We have to achieve that level of creativity and intelligence in our streamers," she said.
As someone who has worked in theatre, TV, films, and streaming platforms, the 55-year-old actor said today it's all about churning out good content in different genres.
She will next be seen in the second season of the web series Potluck, set to start streaming on SonyLIV from February 24.
"The whole point of (digital) platforms is to provide a wide variety of content. Otherwise, you might as well go back to the 2000s and 2010s and do the typical 'saas-bahu' serials. I would urge all producers and OTT platforms to give a wide variety of content and not follow the herd like television," she said.
Up till 2000, television was an "extremely diverse" medium, according to Gidwani.
"I played all kinds of roles for 15 years. I played a reporter, a college student, Mini Agarwal in 'Junoon', Svetlana in 'Swabhimaan', a detective, a cop, a mother, and a teacher. Just like Netflix (today), you would be able to do comedies, horror, suspense, crime thrillers, feel-good serials back then," she added.
Her first love, however, is theatre.
"You can't compare the magic of a stage with anything. You can't surpass that," she said.
The actor is looking forward to reprising the role of Pramila, the matriarch of the Shastri family in "Potluck" season two.
In the upcoming chapter, Pramila wants to participate in the 'Mrs Meadows' pageant, a decision that her family believes is the result of a midlife crisis.
"Pramila wants to do this all by herself, but the family is full of suggestions. They are not going to leave her alone. She just gets irritated. The purpose is lost as she wants to be independent. But in the end, it's a happy ending because she realises that family is family," she added.
While Gidwani said she knows many people who have experienced midlife crisis, she doesn't relate to the phenomenon.
"I am not a typical Indian woman who gets married, has children and suddenly realises that life has passed her by. I have always been very conscious that I'll never let life pass me by. So, it (midlife crisis) doesn't apply to me. By the grace of God, I've always followed my heart right from my 20s.
"There are so many people, women, I know who have faced that at some stage or the other. And then they suddenly start a business in their 40s or have an affair or join some baba in some ashram. But, I understand women like that," she added.
Another upcoming project for Gidwani is the Sony TV show "Hum", which is an official Indian adaptation of a Turkish soap opera. She plays Rani-sa, the matriarch of the family, a character she described as a strong woman.
"It's a big TV series for the Indian masses, so you have to be very mindful of that. Turkish dramas are very popular. The producer has already bought the rights to the show.
"It's a different world of acting, dressing. It's going to be another different experience after 22 years. I haven't done anything like that. It's more classy, and realistic. We are starting shooting next month," she added.
(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.