Jeetendra, who ruled Bollywood in the 70s and the 80s, is set to begin the second inning of his acting career. The yesteryear superstar, who has several successful films to his credit, is making his digital debut. He will be seen in an important cameo in the second season of the ALTBalaji series Baarish, produced by his daughter Ekta Kapoor.
“It is great to be back on screen for a show like Baarish, which finally convinced me to make my digital debut in its upcoming season. The cast and crew have been extremely warm on set and it is lovely to see their affection towards me,” said Jeetendra.
The superstar went on to add, “I am delighted to be playing the role of Jeetuji as his principles are very relatable. My fans and viewers will see the various shades of my character, who tries to reunite Anuj and Gauravi, and I am hoping they will like my short stint in this show.”
The first season of Baarish turned out to be an instant success for ALTBalaji. The audience liked the simple storytelling powered by impeccable performances from Asha Negi and Sharman Joshi.
Buoyed up by the huge success of the first season, the makers went ahead with a season 2, which brings back the much-loved jodi of Asha Negi and Sharman Joshi in lead roles. In the first season, the couple had parted ways due to their respective siblings. Vikram Singh Chauhan plays Asha Negi’s brother while Priya Banerjee essays the character of Sharman Joshi’s sister.
Baarish 2 is scheduled to start streaming from 6th May on ALTBalaji and ZEE5.
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.