Varun Dhawan is set to star in the upcoming film October which is a love story with a twist. The actor has been paired opposite debutante Banita Sandhu in the film. In an interaction with a leading Indian entertainment portal, Varun Dhawan gave credit to Banita Sandhu for his performance in the film.
Varun said, "Banita is someone that I'm so fond of. I can definitely say that she's done an incredible job. The amount that she has given to this film, very rarely an actor gives that. You give so much and then there's that extra percentage where you don't give because it can harm you also. But, she went for it. If I had to give people credit, I'd give dada (Shoojit Sircar) obviously, Juhi and I will give credit to Banita also for myself in the film because if it was not for her, if it was not for her eyes, if it was not for her soul, I would not be able to be me in this film."
Talking about whether he felt protective about Banita, the actor revealed, "I started off wanting to be very protective of her because she is just 20 years old. She was small on set, everything is new to her. But, by the end, she was taking care of me. Not that I am a baby or anything like that (laughs) but honestly, by the end, the kind of connection that we got... that we always wanted to look out for each other. I would be so worried about her during certain scenes and she would be like, 'Varun, I got this, don't worry! I'm fine.' And I would be like, what is this girl made of? Because seeing her, this is happening to me, I just hope that she's okay. I'm excited for people to see her in this film."
October is scheduled to release on April 13, 2018.
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.