The Dark Side of Bollywood: Muzammil Ibrahim’s Chilling Experience with Pooja Bhatt

The glamorous world of Bollywood is not always as it seems. Behind the glitz and glamour, there are stories of struggles, mistreatment, and exploitation. One such story is that of Muzammil Ibrahim, a model-turned-actor who made his debut in the film industry with Pooja Bhatt’s directorial venture, Dhokha. In a recent interview, Muzammil opened up about the traumatic experience he had while working with Pooja Bhatt, accusing her of verbal abuse, mistreatment, and sabotage.

A Nightmare on Set

Muzammil recalled the horrors he faced on the sets of Dhokha, where Pooja Bhatt would allegedly verbally abuse him, calling him "unprofessional" and treating him with disrespect. The young actor, who was just 20 years old at the time, was overwhelmed by the behavior of the 35-year-old director. "She had a temperament, an attitude which was very disrespectful for actors," Muzammil said, adding that he would have nightmares because of the way he was treated.

The Bhatt Camp’s Alleged Sabotage

Muzammil claimed that the Bhatt camp, including Pooja and her father Mahesh Bhatt, planted stories in the media to sabotage his career. "I was called unprofessional at that time by Pooja Bhatt. She had a temperament, an attitude which was very disrespectful for actors," he said. The actor alleged that Pooja’s behavior worsened when Mahesh Bhatt was not on set, and implied that it was Mahesh who actually directed the film, while Pooja was only involved in the song sequences.

A History of Abuse

Muzammil alleged that Pooja Bhatt had a history of abusing actors, including John Abraham and Dino Morea, whom she had compared to dogs. "Pooja has told actors in the past that they are like dogs, when I tell them to sit, they should sit, if I tell them to stand they should stand. She would say this about John and Dino. Someone who has this kind of attitude about their actors, imagine what kind of a person they would be," he said.

The Fear of the Bhatts

Muzammil confessed that he was scared of the Bhatts and did not dare to fight back against their alleged sabotage. "I could see they were getting press to sabotage me. I knew where all of this was coming from so I was scared," he said. The actor revealed that he was slipping into depression and would have nightmares because of this experience.

A Missed Opportunity

Despite the traumatic experience, Muzammil was offered a role in Mahesh Bhatt’s Raaz 2, as well as a film by Soni Razdan. However, he refused to work with the Bhatt camp again, citing his fear and distrust. "I refused to do both these films because I was so scared. I had nightmares," he said.

The Bigger Picture

Muzammil’s story highlights the darker side of Bollywood, where power dynamics and abuse of authority can lead to traumatic experiences for young and vulnerable actors. It is a reminder that the glamour and glitz of the film industry can often hide the harsh realities of exploitation and mistreatment.

Conclusion

Muzammil Ibrahim’s chilling experience with Pooja Bhatt is a wake-up call for the film industry to acknowledge and address the issues of abuse and exploitation. It is essential for the industry to create a safe and respectful environment for all actors, regardless of their age, experience, or background. As Muzammil’s story gains attention, it is hoped that it will spark a conversation about the need for greater accountability and support for actors who face similar experiences.

Content originally published by indianexpress.com