Yami Gautam is presently riding high on the success of her latest release, A Thursday. The Behzad Khambata directorial sees her in the role of a playschool teacher who holds 16 students hostage and puts a series of demands.
The actress has been winning raves for her power-packed performance in the film which premiered on streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar on February 17, 2022. This is the first time when she has taken up a grey character and the risk seems to have paid off well.
“The idea was always to keep working, to make a place for myself in this industry and be a part of films that nurture me,” Yami told an Indian publication.
“I want to do parts that give me as much diversity as possible. My aim is that one should not be able to associate just one genre with me. It should never be, ‘Oh, this film is of this genre so let’s get Yami.’ It should be anything and everything.”
The actress, who started her acting career with Vicky Donor (2012), which revolved around the topic of sperm donation, said that she is finally getting to be part of films that start a conversation. “Since last year, there has been a shift for me. Things started rolling in the direction where I could give a voice to my choices. I now have work that I can talk a lot about. I am glad that I am getting to be a part of films that start a conversation. A Thursday is a big example of that.”
When asked if playing Naina was different from other characters she has essayed before, the Bala (2019) star said, “Very, very different... I felt her weight on my body, to the extent that it made me question if I was feeling well or not. Even the walk to my (vanity) van, which was just about 10 steps, felt much longer. I felt very heavy and that’s because of the way I had prepped for this part.”
She continued, “Even in life, emotional weight can feel far heavier than that of weights in the gym. I had really absorbed Naina into my system. Not only did I step into her shoes, but I also made her, lived her, shaped her... It wasn’t easy. It required a lot of mental, physical as well as technical prep. A lot of nuances had to be mastered, it was also important not to overdo things because one can cross the line when it comes to a character like this. I had to find the balance and that took a lot of homework.”
Yami Gautam has some interesting projects lined up for release in 2022. After A Thursday, she will next be seen in Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Lost and Umesh Shukla’s Oh My God 2.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.