By Asjad Nazir.
THE popular Bollywood singer Udit Narayan celebrates his 63rd birthday on December 1.
To mark the magical voice behind award-winning songs like Mitwa, Papa Kehta Hai, Pardesi Pardesi, Chand Chupa Badal Mein and Mehandi Lagake Rakhna turning a year older, Eastern Eye took a closer look at the popular music star in his own words throu-gh interviews he has done.
My father was a farmer, and I used to live in a village in Nepal. I started singing in my village and in my school. People used to love my voice.
I was blessed with a good voice but not a good life. We did not have a radio at home, but whenever I would hear Mohammad Rafi’s voice emit from a neighbour’s radio I would be mesmerised.
I got a musical scholarship from the Indian embassy in Nepal, and I came to Mumbai. After struggling for 10 years, I got my first break with the movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.
I got 1,000 rupees for the song Papa Kehte Hain. But money was secondary - what made my day was the beautiful song that I got to sing.
When I was short of money, I used to take local trains/buses and when I had no money at all, I used to walk. In the monsoons, I used to spend my nights at the station and get very ill frequently because of that. High fevers were a common part of my struggle.
I had to work very hard and be very patient for where I am today. Hard work is the key, do not give up. Keep working hard till you have what you have always wanted and you will get it.
I feel like I am living a dream. I always wanted to become a famous singer, who would be remembered by people and whose songs would play on the radio.
All of the awards are equally important and they mean a great deal to me. They are all special in their own ways.
After putting in so much hard work I feel good that I have achieved so much love from all over the world.
I think there is no substitution for hard work. You have to be honest, humble and you need the right character and dedication.
I sing in 36 different languages, and I have been entertaining people for over three decades now. I am thankful to God, my fans, and the movie industry. Now, I feel my struggle was worth it.
I love my fans with all my heart. It is because of my fans I have done all I have.
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.