By: Mohnish Singh
Streaming media platforms are not only attracting actors from the current crop but several prominent names from the 90s are also entering the web-space with great enthusiasm.
In 2020, Karisma Kapoor and Sushmita Sen made their digital debuts with Mentalhood and Aarya respectively, which went on to garner great response from the audience. Now, we hear that we could soon see another popular actress from the 90s taking a plunge into the digital world.
Yes, we are talking about Urmila Matondkar who set the silver screen on fire with a number of sizzling performances back in the 90s. The actress was gearing up to make her digital debut with a high-profile web-series set to begin filming last year but it got pushed due to the sudden outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Matondkar, however, hopes that the project goes before cameras soon. “In April 2020, I was supposed to start work on a fabulous web series, but this pandemic happened, and then it got postponed. We did not know what was happening, and it got further pushed. Right now, it is stuck with one permission issue with a certain ministry. I am just hoping that it will get cleared,” she tells an Indian publication.
Known for delivering such successful films as Rangeela (1995), Judaai (1997), and Satya (1998) to name a few, Urmila Matondkar was last seen in Blackmail (2018) for a mere special dance number. Her fans will be waiting to see her in a full-fledged role with bated breath. We hope her streaming show does full justice to their long wait.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy world of entertainment.
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.