John McEnroe needs no introduction. If you are a tennis enthusiast from the 80s or 90s, you would already know about his unrivalled shot-making and volleying skills in the game. But the American former professional tennis player, who now offers his take on the sport as a TV analyst, is now making a splash as a sage narrator of Netflix's coming-of-age comedy-drama series Never Have I Ever, co-created by Mindy Kaling.
McEnroe has previously played himself in such films as Mr. Deeds (2002), Anger Management (2003), and Wimbledon (2004) and satirical sitcom 30 Rock and comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm to name a few. But narrating a coming-of-age comedy about an Indian American teen named Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), was an unlikely choice for the tennis great.
Kaling approached McEnroe at a post-Oscars Vanity Fair bash, vaguely pitching him the idea of narrating a new series she was working on. When asked about how he reacted to Kaling’s offer, McEnroe told a leading publication, “You cannot be serious. But I did not get the full details. At first, she just said, “(I have) this idea for the show I'm doing and I'd love you to narrate it.” Nine times out of 10 it’s the last time you'll hear from someone. So, when I actually did hear from Mindy and her people, I was pleasantly surprised.”
So, what made him nod a yes to the show? “I like to try to do things that get you out of your comfort zone a little bit. I've always believed in the theory it's better to try and fail than not try at all. And I thought this was different. I saw one interview on one of those entertainment shows where they were speaking to Maitreyi and they were like, “Have you ever thought about who you'd like as narrator?” And I'm like, “Why the hell are they saying that? She didn't respond with something like: “Yes, I want Michelle Pfeiffer or I want Mindy Kaling to do it.” I suppose, as you get older, at least with me, you learn to appreciate things more. At certain times, I was disappointed in myself that while I was doing what I was doing — and I was even the best at it — I wasn't getting the type of enjoyment I would have liked. So, it’s nice to sort of do something later on [in life] where you can,” he added.
Never Have I Ever 2 premiered on July 15, 2021, on Netflix.
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.