Mumbai, October 1 : Actor Ranvir Shorey has responded to recent comments by Rahul Bhatt about a long-standing dispute involving Shorey and actress Pooja Bhatt, saying he hopes the latest exchange will finally bring an end to a controversy that has remained in the public domain for more than two decades.
The actor’s response came after Rahul Bhatt spoke about the incident during a recent conversation with interviewer Siddharth Kannan. While recalling the period surrounding Pooja Bhatt’s relationship with Shorey, Rahul said he had intervened following an altercation between the former couple and acknowledged that his own reaction had gone too far.
According to Rahul’s account, he confronted Shorey after an argument involving Pooja and subsequently damaged the actor’s car. He also claimed that Shorey suffered a rib injury during the confrontation. Rahul said he later regretted taking matters into his own hands and described his response as an overreaction.
He also spoke about the legal proceedings that followed, saying he was arrested and faced a criminal case. Rahul further recalled that Shorey eventually agreed to settle the matter, which resulted in the case being brought to an end.
Shorey addressed Rahul’s latest comments through a post on X on September 30. The actor said he was pleased that some of the details surrounding the episode were finally being discussed publicly after years of what he described as negative publicity and allegations.
Without revisiting every aspect of the old dispute, Shorey said he wanted to clarify his position regarding the allegations of violence that have been associated with the episode. He maintained that defending oneself against violence should not automatically be characterised as an act of aggression.
The actor’s comments followed Rahul’s admission that he regretted his behaviour. Shorey also responded to a social media user who questioned why he had forgiven Rahul in the past.
Shorey explained that his decision was influenced by his relationship with Pooja and his respect for her father, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. He indicated that he had chosen to move beyond the confrontation rather than allow the dispute to continue indefinitely.
The renewed discussion has brought attention to a chapter of the Bollywood industry that had largely remained in the past. Shorey and Pooja Bhatt were reportedly in a relationship for several years before their separation. Their relationship later became the subject of public discussion, with both sides associated with different accounts of what happened during that period.
Pooja Bhatt had previously made allegations of physical violence against Shorey, which he denied. Shorey, on his part, had rejected those allegations and accused people close to Bhatt of spreading false stories about him. Rahul Bhatt had also become involved in the dispute, eventually leading to the confrontation that he has now discussed publicly.
The episode later became one of the incidents associated with Shorey’s public career. During his appearance on Bigg Boss OTT 3, the actor had spoken about the controversy and described it as one of the most difficult scandals of his life.
The latest exchange, however, has a different context. Rahul’s comments have included an expression of regret over his own conduct, while Shorey’s response has focused on clarifying his version of events and closing the chapter.
Rahul reportedly praised Shorey for the manner in which he dealt with the legal case. He said that instead of seeking financial compensation or continuing the dispute, Shorey agreed to compound the matter. Rahul described that decision as something he respected.
The comments have prompted renewed interest from social media users, many of whom have been discussing the two actors’ statements and the history behind the dispute. Shorey’s response suggests that he does not want the matter to develop into another prolonged public confrontation.
The actor’s latest remarks also underline how incidents from the early years of a celebrity’s career can continue to attract attention long after the individuals involved have moved on with their lives.
Both Shorey and Pooja Bhatt have pursued separate professional and personal paths since their relationship ended. Pooja Bhatt subsequently married television personality and restaurateur Manish Makhija, while Shorey married actor Konkona Sensharma. Both relationships later ended in separation.
The controversy has periodically resurfaced in interviews and television appearances, but the recent comments have once again placed the old episode under public scrutiny.
In his latest response, Shorey appeared keen to provide what he considered an important clarification rather than reopen the entire dispute. He said the matter could now be allowed to rest after Rahul’s acknowledgement of his own actions.
The developments have also renewed discussion about the way personal disputes involving public figures can remain part of entertainment coverage for years. Statements made during interviews or on social media can bring old controversies back into public conversation, particularly when they involve well-known actors and filmmakers.
For Shorey, the latest exchange represents an opportunity to place his own account on record. Rahul’s comments, meanwhile, have provided a fresh account of his involvement and included an explicit expression of regret.
The allegations and counter-allegations surrounding the original relationship remain disputed, and the statements made by the individuals involved are personal accounts rather than independently established findings. The latest developments therefore primarily reflect the participants’ recollections of events from more than 20 years ago.