AWARD-WINNING comedian and presenter Romesh Ranganathan will front The Misinvestigations of Romesh Ranganathan, a spin-off of popular BBC Two series Misadventures.
The new two-part series will throw light on the circumstances that led to the untimely deaths of celebrities including American musicians Jimi Hendrix and Tupac Shakur.
The crime show, which will air later this year, will also explore the legacies of high-profile people who died young.
The British Sri Lankan, who won a Bafta award for The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan recently, will be assisted by private detectives and criminal psychologists in unravelling the tragedies that shook the world.
"We wanted a spin-off for Misadventures and after we discussed Misinterpretations, Miscalculations and Misunderstandings, we finally settled on Misinvestigations," he said.
"It's been really interesting to look into these high-profile deaths and I am very excited for people to see the show unless of course people don't like it, in which case I will release a statement explaining how I never really believed in the project," Ranganathan said, tongue in cheek.
He is also officially succeeding James Corden as the host of Sky One’s sports-based panel show A League Of Their Own Series.
Former cricketer Freddie Flintoff, footballer Jamie Vardy, Olympian Denise Lewis and sports expert Micah Richards will feature in Series 16 of the show. Filming will start at Elstree Studios on July 5.
"I'm over the moon to be taking over the hosting duties and looking forward to being back in the studio with Jamie, Freddie, our guests and the live audience. I'm truly honoured to be the new host of such a successful show. I know Jamie and Freddie are delighted because they often talk about what a hero I am to both of them," he said.
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.