Known for delivering several memorable performances ever since making his acting debut with Masaan (2015), Vicky Kaushal is presently waiting for the release of his next film Sardar Udham. Directed by Shoojit Sircar and produced by Ronnie Lahiri, the biographical drama sees the Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) actor in the titular role of revolutionary Sardar Udham Singh.
Talking to a publication, Kaushal spoke about the amount of preparation he put into essaying the part. “As part of my process, I always believe in reaching out to the character and somewhere in the middle, that character extends its arm and reaches back out to me. From there, you just grab onto that arm and there is a beautiful marriage of this process that happens during the filming. In that process, subconsciously, you are always consumed by that world, those traits and colours of the character.”
He added that Udham Singh always stayed with him and it continues to do so to date. “It all happens without you consciously knowing that you’re carrying so many aspects of the role with you at all times. Udham Singh always stayed with me and it continues to do so today. You tend to enact between the action and cut, but yes, some part of it lingers with you at all times,” he added.
Talking about the impact that playing a character like Udham Singh leaves on an actor, Kaushal said, “You don’t speak the lines or the mannerisms consciously, but at times, your family notices something and they point out – and say, ‘you are looking aloof’, ‘you are feeling different’, ‘there’s a different vibe to you’. Over a period of time, they understand the nature of the work and they tend to give you the space. But when they do react like that, I come to know that there has been some noticeable shift within me. And you like that to be there, as well. I like to acknowledge that there has been a shift in my personality and my behaviour. But you don’t want to analyse it, you just want to flow with that shift.”
Sardar Udham is set to release on October 16 on Amazon Prime Video.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.