BOLLYWOOD superstar Aamir Khan on Wednesday (31) admitted he was "stressed" ahead of the release of his son Junaid Khan's debut film, Maharaj, worrying about how the audience would receive his work.
Maharaj, which premiered on Netflix on June 21, stars Junaid as the real-life 19th-century social reformer Karsandas Mulji. The film, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra, marks Junaid's first major role in the industry.
Aamir was speaking at the launch of the single Kooriye, sung by debutant Raj Pandit, who is the son of producer Ashoke Pandit.
"When Junaid’s Maharaj released, I was very stressed thinking if people would like his work or not. I think that is what you (Ashoke Pandit) are probably feeling right now as Raj is taking his first steps. Just a couple of months back, I was in that situation.
"I am here to support you and your son. It is an emotion that I immediately connect to. We are always worried about whether they (our children) will be accepted," the superstar told reporters here.
Maharaj, based on an 1862 libel case involving Mulji and a Vaishnavite religious leader, briefly ran into legal trouble with the members of the sect filing a petition in the Gujarat high court against the film.
The premiere was earlier scheduled to arrive on the streamer on June 14, but was delayed by a week. Later, the high court cleared its release after a brief stay, observing that it did not target any religion.
Aamir said he is proud of Junaid for charting his own path without his help.
"I am happy that Junaid has really worked hard for himself. He has never accepted any help from me in any way ever. I am happy and proud that he has made it on his own terms, in his own way. I can see that Raj is doing the same thing. It is time to take your first step and you have and it is wonderful," he added.
The superstar, who will next be seen in Sitaare Zameen Par, said he started taking singing lessons last year.
"You will be happy to know that I've started learning to sing. I have got a guru, Sucheta ji is my guru and I've been training since last one year. I enjoy singing. It's like meditation," said Aamir, who sang songs such as Aati Kya Khandala (Ghulam) and Dekho 2000 Zamana Aa Gaya (Mela).
The music video of Kooriye features Raj Pandit and Zoya Afroz. The song is produced by Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant and Ashoke Pandit. (PTI)
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.