1. Zakir Khan
Zakir Khan is also known as Sakht Launda, is an Indian stand-up comedian, writer, presenter and an actor. In 2012, he rose to popularity by winning Comedy Central's India's Best Stand Up Comedian competition. He has performed in more than a 200 venues as well as shows in Singapore and Dubai. Zakir Khan has swiftly become the most sought-after comic in the country. He also has an Amazon Prime special of his own called Haq Se Single.
2. Kenny Sebastian
Kenny Sebastian started his journey on YouTube by making special effects films and eventually, he landed up being one of the top Indian stand-up comedians. Based in Bangalore, Kenny has seen a fair share of tough times throughout his stint as a stand-up comedian. He also has an Amazon Prime special of his own called Don’t Be That Guy.
3. Kanan Gill
Kanan Gill is an Indian stand-up comedian, actor and YouTuber. He won the Punch Line Bangalore Competition. He is known for the YouTube series, Pretentious Movie Reviews where he reviews flawed yesteryear Bollywood films along with fellow stand-up comedian Biswa Kalyan Rath. He also has an Amazon Prime special of his own called Keep It Real.
4. Abish Mathew
Abish Mathew is an Indian stand-up comedian and a YouTube performer. He is known for his work with All India Bakchod and as the host of Son of Abish. In the talk show Son Of Abish, he invites celebrities for an interview and fun games. Currently, the fourth season of Son Of Abish is live on his YouTube channel.
5. Biswa Kalyan Rath
Biswa Kalyan Rath is an Indian stand-up comedian, writer, and YouTuber. He came into prominence through a YouTube comedy series, Pretentious Movie Reviews with fellow comedian Kanan Gill. He was an IT professional and he was working for Oracle. He quit his job there to pursue stand-up comedy along with his partner Kanan.
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.