LIVE PERFORMANCE
BOLLYWOOD VOICE OF LEGENDS EXTRAVAGANZA
When: Friday November 25
Where: Tyne Theatre & Opera House, 109-113 Westgate Road, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 4AG
What: British singer Navin Kundra headlines a high energy production with a full live band, where he performs everything from all-time Bollywood classics to western pop hits.
www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
NOORAN LAL AND ASIF KHAN
When: Friday November 25
Where: HRA Banqueting Hall, 271 Bordesley Green Road, Saltley B8 1BY
What: Concert headlined by acclaimed Pakistani singer Nooran Lal and multi-talented music maestro Asif Khan, where they will perform their greatest hits and all-time classics.
www.eventbrite.com
ZAIN – ZOHAIB
When: Sunday November 27
Where: Baylis House, Stoke Poges Lane, Slough SL1 3PB
What: The popular Pakistani qawwali act conclude their high-energy debut UK tour with a final performance that mixes up their own songs with all-time Sufi classics.
www.stringsentertainment.co.uk
AN EVENING OF QAWWALI WITH CHAND ALI KHAN
When: Thursday December 1
Where: Grand Sapphire Hotel & Banqueting, 45 Imperial Way, Croydon CR0 4RR
What: A gala dinner featuring a performance by acclaimed group, Chand Ali Khan with qawwali party. Tickets include three-course meal with table service.
www.eventbrite.com
MALKIT SINGH
When: Friday December 2
Where: Arleston Hall, Arleston Lane, Derby DE24 3DH
What: Bhangra legend Malkit Singh headlines a dinner and dance with his full live band. There will also be musical performances from Panjabi MC and HMC.
www.eventbrite.com
Anirudh
ANIRUDH
When: Friday December 2
Where: OVO Arena, Arena Square, Engineers Way, London HA9 0AA
What: The Tamil singing sensation will deliver a concert with a full live band, which mixes up his solo hits and popular film songs.
www.ovoarena.co.uk
APACHE INDIAN AND PANJABI MC
When: Saturday December 3
Where: Fox And Firkin, 316 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6JZ
What: Live music event headlined by British music icons Panjabi MC and Apache Indian, which will be filled with their greatest hits.
www.foxfirkin.com
POOJA ANGRA
When: Sunday December 4
Where: Turner Sims, Building 52, University of Southampton, Salisbury Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ
What: Classical Indian concert headlined by Pooja Angra. She is joined by leading musicians Karan Rana, Mitel Purohit, and Baluji Shrivastav OBE.
www.turnersims.co.uk
THEATRE
LIFE OF PI
When: Until Sunday January 15, 2023
Where: Wyndham’s Theatre, 32-36 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA
What: Theatre play based on Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, which revolves around the sole human survivor of a shipwreck stuck on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, as they battle to survive an epic voyage across the ocean.
www.lifeofpionstage.com
NOOR
When: Until Saturday November 26
Where: Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
What: Compelling new play capturing the intrigue and complexity, self-doubt and extraordinary courage of WWII resistance agent Noor Inayat Khan.
www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
PATEL’S MILLIONS
When: Saturday November 26
Where: Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 2UE
What: New family musical comedy with Bollywood songs, dances, and plenty of laughs, which revolves around a struggling shopkeeper who becomes unimaginably rich and sees his life get worse instead of better.
www.becktheatre.org.uk
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
When: Monday November 28 – Saturday December 3
Where: Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath BA1
What: Stage adaptation of the best-selling book and hit film about an eclectic group of British retirees embarking on a new life in India continues its UK tour. Check website for tour dates.
www.marigoldshow.com
HAKAWATIS: WOMEN OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS
When: Thursday December 1 – Sunday January 14
Where: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
What: Fearless new play written by Hannah Khalil and directed by Pooja Ghai, which is a retelling of a classic feminist story featured in One Thousand and One Nights.
www.shakespearesglobe.com
COMEDY
THE INDIANS ARE COMING
When: Friday December 2 and Sunday December 4
Where: Newhampton Arts Centre, Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4AN; and The Top Secret Comedy Club, 170 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PD
What: Stand-up comedy show featuring top talents that include Sukh Ojla, Anuvab Pal, Preet Singh, Raj Poojara and Hyde Panaser. Check website for further tour dates and line-ups.
www.luventertainment.co.uk
PAUL CHOWDHRY – FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMEDIAN
When: Sunday December 4
Where: New Theatre, 46 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 1RS
What: The acclaimed funny man concludes his new stand-up tour. He dissects diverse topics that include UK’s handling of the pandemic, fame, and England football fans.
www.newtheatre-peterborough.com
DESI CENTRAL COMEDY SHOW
When: Sunday December 11
Where: Monkey Barrel Comedy, 9-12 Blair Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QR; and The Glee Club Glasgow, 11 Renfrew Street, Glasgow G2 3AB
What: Two stand-up comedy shows in one day in two cities, featuring Patrick Monahan, Tommy Sandhu, Farhan Solo and Preet Singh. Check website for tour dates.
www.luventertainment.co.uk
CLASSES
BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASS
When: Saturday November 26
Where: CRATE, 35 Saint James Street, London E17 7FY
What: Fun Bollywood dance class focusing on movement and mindfulness.
www.eventbrite.com
FREE BHARATNATYAM CLASSES
When: Wednesday November 30 and Thursday December 1
Where: Gamgee House, 2 Darnley Road, Birmingham B16 8TE
What: The Consulate General of India in Birmingham is organising free and weekly dance classes on its premises. Participants need to register beforehand and will be allocated places on a first-come, first-served basis.
www.eventbrite.com
ANGLO INDIAN COOKERY MASTERCLASS
When: Sunday November 27
Where: Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar, 47-49 Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 1PJ
What: Culinary masterclass to learn how to make delicious Anglo-Indian cuisine at home, followed by a delicious sweet and savoury afternoon tea, inspired by the opulent style of the British Raj period.
www.eventbrite.com
INDIAN DANCE WORKSHOP
When: Saturday December 10
Where: Sawston Library, 41 New Road, Cambridge CB22 3BP
What: An engaging beginner’s workshop on the Kuchipudi-style of classical Indian dancing, conducted by Ranjini Nair.
www.library.live
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.