Latest news with #PoojaBhatt
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Muzammil Ibrahim Says He Had Nightmares Over Pooja Bhatt's Abuse On Set: 'I'd Pray To Allah To Save Me'
Last Updated: Actor Muzammil Ibrahim shares his traumatic experience working with Pooja Bhatt, revealing abuse and its impact on his mental health. Model-actor Muzammil Ibrahim made shocking confessions about his experience filming the 2007 movie Dhoka, claiming that working under director Pooja Bhatt left him emotionally scarred. In a new interview with Siddharth Kannan on his podcast, the actor opened up about the trauma he allegedly endured on set, revealing how it impacted his mental health. Opening up on the traumatic experience, Muzammil said, 'Pooja Bhatt had a temperament which was very difficult and disrespectful towards actors. Mahesh Bhatt used to like me a lot. But Pooja said a lot of things about me. I don't want to go into the details of it. I was very respectful towards her, but she had a very abusive nature. She was extremely abusive." The actor recalled how difficult the experience was for him. 'I went through hell during its shoot. I suffered a lot, and I was very young. I got into depression because of it. I used to have nightmares. Every morning, I would pray to Allah to save me from her." Muzammil also claimed that Mahesh Bhatt was aware of the tension on set but was unable to fully intervene. 'He would ask Pooja to not behave with me like that, but she would do it when he was not around. The crew members and even Mukesh Bhatt told me stories about Pooja's behaviour and temper." Due to the experience, Muzammil said he turned down future offers from the Bhatt camp. 'I was scared to work with the Bhatts again. Mahesh sir was very keen on casting me in Raaz 2. Even Soni Razdan pursued me for doing their films, but I refused all of them." He further shared that after the film's release, Pooja Bhatt allegedly spoke poorly about him in the press. He recalled, 'I was called names in the media and accused of being unprofessional, but I didn't respond. I feared being boycotted." Muzammil Ibrahim is best remembered for the hit remix track Pardesiya alongside Rakhi Sawant and films like Horn 'Ok' Pleassss and Will You Marry Me?. His last appearance was in the web series Special Ops. First Published:
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pooja Bhatt was ‘abusive' on the set of Dhokha, Muzammil Ibrahim says he was mistreated: ‘I used to have nightmares'
Muzammil Ibrahim made a name for himself as a supermodel before he decided to debut as an actor. He made his debut with the film Dhokha, which was produced by Mahesh Bhatt and directed by Pooja Bhatt. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Muzammil opened up about the extremely difficult time during the shoot when he was mistreated and disrespected by Pooja. Muzammil shared he had nightmares about going to work and did not expect this kind of behaviour at all. (Also read: Thug Life movie review: The Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam flick fails to recreate Nayakan magic on screen) During the interview, Muzammil shared, 'I was called unprofessional during that time by Pooja Bhatt. She had a temperament, an attitude which was very disrespectful for actors. Bhatt saab used to like me a lot because I was a good actor. I was just a kid that time, around 20, and the way I was treated on that set I cannot even begin to say… it was so heinous. I was respectful, but I had expectations. But the way I was mistreated I had no expectations after that. She used to verbally abuse a lot.' Muzammil shared that he didn't do Raaz 2 after the experience on Dhokha. He added, 'I was so scared, I was nightmarish. I was a supermodel in India, respected in a very different way and the way I was treated there… Mahesh Bhatt saab saw what was happening and tried to tell her not to do that as well. But it escalated when Bhatt saab was not on set. I used to hear such stories on set where Pooja said that actors should be like dogs and should sit when told. I come from a small family and I was so scared, the articles that were written to sabotage me… I did not want to attach myself to that situation. I used to have nightmares and used to pray that I survive the whole day. I went through a lot of depression.' Pooja Bhatt's Dhokha opened to positive reviews, with Muzammil receieving particular praise. The film also starred Tulip Joshi, Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover in pivotal roles.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Indie dogs have been around since…
They're everywhere — lounging in the sun, following schoolchildren, tailing street vendors, or curled up by a tea stall. The Indian street dog, affectionately known as the Indie, is one of the most overlooked animals, yet a much intricate part of our history than any Western breeds, having been found in Mohenjo-daro, too. But recently, a unique initiative set out to change that. The Rotary Club of Bombay launched a two-minute awareness film on the plight of Indies, with actor Pooja Bhatt lending her voice to the project. Produced by Nabeel Abbas, Founder and CEO of Epigram, and scripted by Anushree Kandalkar, the short film was a heartfelt appeal to acknowledge the Indie as more than just a street survivor. Ramesh Narayan, who conceived the project, shares: 'Looking around, you will see the Indie on every street. They are as hardy and caring as any breed dog, but they face the daily challenges of scrounging for food and facing extreme heat and the monsoons. It is heart-rending. So I thought we must begin building the Indie brand. More so at a time when everything Indian is now being looked up to. Let's take pride in our homegrown breed… Indies are old, have been around since Mohenjo-daro.' Indeed, a pariah-type dog skull was found at the ancient site of Mohenjo-daro, and similar canines appear in Bhimbetka's prehistoric rock art. The Indie dog was also featured in National Geographic's Search for the First Dog, standing proudly alongside ancient breeds like Israel's Canaan Dog and Australia's Dingo. Don't shop! Adopt an Indie. — Ramesh Narayan (@rameshnarayan) June 4, 2025 Dr Milind Hatekar, Veterinary Surgeon at Pet Aid Pune and Founder of the Asian Foundation of Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology (AFVON), explained that 'it's a myth that Indie dogs are better than other breeds.' He says: 'In real sense, they have problems of allergies due to a lot of inbreeding. And they may have temperament issues since these dogs like to move and run around freely — and once restricted in flats and confined places, they will have temperament issues.' This doesn't mean Indies shouldn't be adopted — just that they require the same level of care, love and understanding as any other breed. 'They need equal care as compared to non-hairy breeds of dogs. Since they have a genetic pool supporting the weather in India, they do well in summers,' adds Dr Hatekar.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
A bow-wow moment for the stray dog
HighlightsRamesh Narayan is leading an initiative to rebrand Indian street dogs, aiming to elevate their status from social outcasts to desirable pets, similar to the popular Vodafone pug. The campaign features a coffee table book titled 'Missy's Musings' and a two-minute film starring actress and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt, promoting the message 'Don't shop, adopt an Indie'. Narayan's mission seeks to challenge historical stigmas associated with Indian street dogs, stemming from colonial influences, and foster a more inclusive narrative for animal welfare in India. Ramesh Narayan recalls a story that dates back to the 2000s. His son, Ishan, then a spirited 12-year-old, made an insistent yet surprising request. 'I want a pug,' he declared, the words hanging in the air, oddly discordant with the family's firmly established canine preferences. After a pause, the father shot back: 'Do you want a dog or a brand?' Ishan, momentarily baffled, was dispatched to consult with his mother. The next day, he returned, resolute. 'I spoke with Mom,' he announced. 'I want a dog.' Nearly two decades and three Indie dog adoptions later, Narayan is going where no ad man has gone before: To leverage the power of branding and elevate the status of the Indian stray dog. Ammo for this rebranding comes through a coffee table book and a campaign featuring actress and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt as an ambassador for the adoption of pets, and the might of five NGOs to amplify the message. What makes a good dog? Narayan is dreaming of a day when the Indian street dog , which is currently labelled a 'social outcast', will be embraced with the same enthusiasm as the iconic Cheeka, the Vodafone pug. Two decades ago, when the Narayans opted for a dog over a brand, they adopted an 'airport dog', a term given to strays found at airport zones, unable to be returned to their original habitat due to safety regulations, making them the most vulnerable of animals. This exchange would become the genesis of a quiet yet fervent crusade for Narayan, a mission to redefine what a 'good dog' truly meant in the Indian household. At the time, the pervasive notion was that a dog's worth was measured by its lineage. Opting for an Indie, the ubiquitous Indian street dog, was Narayan's subtle rebellion against the inherent preference for foreign breeds. Even today, an Indie on a leash remains a rarity in many Indian cities. While pedigreed breeds parade on promenades, the streets teem with their uncollared, often overlooked, counterparts. 'Every dog on a leash is an imported breed,' he observes, 'and every dog running stray is an Indie.' A history lesson Narayan's research into this phenomenon unearthed a discomforting past. The Indie boasts of an ancient lineage, with skulls found in the Mohenjo-daro ruins dating back 2,500 years. But in the 19th century, the British, seeking to undermine local breeds, introduced imported dogs to India. The colonialists repurposed a Tamil word, pariah, meaning 'social outcast or untouchable', to describe the native Indian dog. This linguistic branding, deliberate and insidious, stuck, says Narayan. The term 'mongrel', implying mixed and impure, further cemented the stigma. 'Don't shop, adopt' The need to make a decisive change to this mindset prompted him to action. The first step is a glossy coffee table book, Missy's Musings. It's a tale about Missy, a charming Indie captured in stunning photographs, her expressive face challenging preconceived notions of beauty. The text subtly weaves in this campaign's central appeal: 'Don't shop, adopt an Indie.' Working alongside the book is a two-minute film, championed by Bhatt, which further spreads the message. The film, a collaboration with the advertising agency VML , follows the journey of a street dog and culminates in a powerful plea for adoption. Narayan has secured five different edits of the film, each to be distributed by a different NGO, to ensure wider reach. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that each animal welfare NGO will leverage the campaign to boost awareness and rebrand the street dog from a pariah into the more respectable descriptor, Indie. Narayan says the campaign isn't just about dogs; it is also about recognising intrinsic worth, fostering compassion and building a more inclusive narrative for India itself. Once he's through, he hopes that unlike Ishan, Gen Alpha will hopefully ask their parents to bring home an Indie.
News18
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Pooja Bhatt Mourns Mukul Dev's Death: 'He Spoke Of Very Simple Things'
Last Updated: Pooja Bhatt paid tribute to Mukul Dev, recalling his independent spirit and philosophical depth. Pooja Bhatt has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late actor Mukul Dev, remembering him as someone who lived life on his terms. Reflecting on his deeply independent spirit, Bhatt recalled how Mukul believed in breaking free from all forms of limitations—whether societal, personal, or imposed—choosing freedom and authenticity above all else. As the film industry mourned the untimely passing of Dev Bhatt on Sunday, it offered a glimpse into the philosophical depth that defined the late actor. In a heartfelt note, she reflected on his unique worldview, describing him as someone who didn't just exist within societal norms but sought meaning beyond them. Sharing Mukul Dev's photo on her Instagram handle, Pooja Bhatt remembered him as a man who spoke of life's simplest yet most profound truths — that freedom is the very nature of being, and that anything standing in its way must be courageously set aside. She wrote, 'He spoke of very simple things-that it is right for a gull to fly, that freedom is the very nature of his being, that whatever stands against that freedom must be set aside, be it ritual or superstition or limitation in any form." 'Set aside," came a voice from the multitude, even if it be the law of the flock?" The only true law is that which leads to freedom," He said. 'There is no other." For most gulls, it was not flying that mattered, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight. Mukul Dev 17 September 1970- 23 May 2025 Excerpt: Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull." Mukul Dev, widely recognised for his performances in films like 'Son of Sardaar," 'R… Rajkumar," and 'Jai Ho," has passed away at the age of 54. His untimely demise has left the film fraternity in shock and sorrow. Several celebrities, including Ajay Devgn, Salman Khan, Hansal Mehta, Sunny Deol, Mrunal Thakur, and many others, expressed their grief and paid heartfelt tributes to the late actor on social media. First Published:
