Deepika Padukone's ex-boyfriend says '90s actress treated him 'heinously': 'She often called actors dogs'

Economic Times

06-06-2025

Muzammil Ibrahim alleges mistreatment by Pooja Bhatt during his debut film 'Dhoka,' citing verbal abuse and a toxic environment. He claims Bhatt demeaned other actors and that Mahesh Bhatt, despite being supportive, couldn't prevent the emotional toll. Ibrahim also reveals a missed opportunity for a role in 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' due to biased casting agents.
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Allegations of Abuse and Unfair Treatment
A Fallout Rooted in Power Games
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Missed Opportunity in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Actor Muzammil Ibrahim has been on a tell-all spree recently. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, he claimed that he was treated 'heinously' by actress Pooja Bhatt in his debut film, 'Dhoka'. He claimed that the environment on set was hostile and alleged that Pooja Bhatt, who was significantly older than him, treated him with blatant disrespect. At just 20 years old, stepping into the film industry with high hopes, he was instead met with what he described as emotionally scarring behaviour.While Mahesh Bhatt, the producer and creative head of the project, was reportedly encouraging and kind to Muzammil, he said that Pooja's attitude created a toxic atmosphere. According to Muzammil, she dismissed him as 'unprofessional' and allowed damaging rumors about him to spread in the press. The situation was made worse by what he described as a complete lack of empathy, considering his age and the fact that he was entering the world of cinema for the first time.Muzammil didn't hold back when recounting his experience on the sets of Dhoka. He claimed that Pooja Bhatt was verbally aggressive and often used foul language, creating an unsettling work environment. He felt unsupported and humiliated, which eventually affected his mental health. The actor said that her behavior intensified when Mahesh Bhatt wasn't around. Although Pooja was credited as the director, Muzammil alleged that it was Mahesh Bhatt who actually called the creative shots, directing the scenes while Pooja mainly handled the music sequences.Despite the unpleasant experience, Muzammil shared that Mahesh Bhatt later offered him roles in Raaz 2 and a film project that Soni Razdan, Mahesh's wife, intended to direct. However, he turned down both offers. The trauma from his debut left him deeply shaken—he said he couldn't bring himself to work with them again and even began experiencing nightmares due to the psychological toll it took on him.Muzammil also shared troubling anecdotes about Pooja's attitude toward other actors. He recalled her allegedly demeaning comments about John Abraham and Dino Morea, claiming she treated them as though they were beneath her.'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.This controlling, dismissive attitude made him question her approach to filmmaking and actor relations. Although he wanted to stand up for himself, Muzammil admitted that he feared retaliation. He believed that the influential Bhatt family had the power to manipulate media narratives and damage his career.Beyond Dhoka, Muzammil discussed another heartbreak in his career—the role of Avi in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which eventually went to Aditya Roy Kapur. Muzammil said that Ayan Mukerji, the film's director, originally envisioned him for the role. He also claimed he had even recommended Deepika Padukone's name for the project, emphasizing that their personal history had no bearing on his casting.However, he said things changed when casting agents got involved. According to Muzammil, they miscommunicated and acted with bias, causing a rift between him and Ayan. Despite Ayan's supposed intention to give him the script, it never reached him. Muzammil alleged that the casting agents had their own agendas and played favorites, ultimately blocking his chance to be part of what became a blockbuster.Muzammil's revelations highlight the struggles many newcomers face in the film industry—especially when caught between internal politics and the weight of powerful personalities.