Actress Yami Gautam, who was last seen in the Aditya Dhar-directed Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), will next star in the upcoming film, Bala. The movie features Ayushmann Khurrana as the male lead.
In the much-awaited film, Yami Gautam plays the role of a model. We all know that the actress started off her career as a model before venturing into films. She is still the face of several high-profile Indian brands. Since Yami is playing the character of a model in Bala, her real-life experiences are definitely going to help the actress a lot while shooting for the film.
The actress is quite psyched up about playing such a character for the first time in her film career. The part in the film that she plays is a local city-based model from Lucknow, and she is one of the most sought-after faces when it comes to the promotion of the local brands of the city.
Talking about her character in Bala, Yami Gautam says, “I play a popular model from a local city in Lucknow. Unlike a lot of characters shown on screen so far, my character is a local model who is famous in a local town. There have been many occasions in my hay days which I associate with my character on a personal level even though the character is far different and her experiences are different from what I have experienced. The only similarity is that she is a model and I have done that briefly, so there are basics I understand of the character. Of course, this character is very different and something I haven’t done before. But my personal experience as a model has come in handy in certain nuances”.
Directed by Stree (2018) fame director Amar Kaushik, Bala also stars popular actress Bhumi Pednekar in the lead role. The film is set to hit the silver screen on 22nd November, 2019.
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.