Describing the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict as "horrible", actress Madhura Naik on Wednesday said her family is yet to come to terms with the untimely demise of her cousin and brother-in-law, who were killed amid the strife last week.
In an Instagram video shared on Tuesday, Naik, who called herself a Jew of Indian origin, claimed that two of her family members were killed on October 7.
"Everyone is in shock right now. Nobody knows what the situation is going to be like. It is a very bad situation. It is horrible. I'm still grieving about the loss. I'm grieving about what's happening in Israel. I don't know how to process all of this...," Naik said in an interview with PTI.
"At such a time, you feel helpless, you don't know how to react, you don't know what to say. There's nothing that can be done. It is just a very helpless, hopeless situation. It is very sad to go through all this," she added.
The actress, known for her work in TV shows Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahani and Naagin, said she learnt about the unfortunate incident from her uncle.
In her Instagram video, Naik said her cousin Odaya and brother-in-law were "murdered in cold blood" in the presence of their children.
She added that her uncle texted to inform her that her cousin was "missing" and also asked the actor to use her social media following to help locate her.
"Then we put out a picture of her, saying that she is missing. We got to know the next day (October 8) that they (from the authorities) had identified her body. She was dead.
"She was shot in the car while she was driving with her husband and kids to her dad's house," Naik said.
Citing safety concerns, the actor neither disclosed the location of her cousin's children nor the current status of her family.
It is unfortunate that civilians are caught in war, Naik said.
"Prayers are not going to help anyone. It is not that you pray and miracles happen overnight. There is the situation of war because of certain geopolitical reasons. It is only the civilians that get hurt in this war," she added.
The actress recalled visiting Israel earlier this year but had to return to India soon after a similar situation erupted.
"I was also stuck in a safe house. It was a bad situation even then but it was not like this. What we are seeing right now is horrible," she said.
"Israel is a beautiful country. It is heaven on earth. But right now, what we are seeing is horrific. I have no words to say," Naik added.
Naik also talked about the hatred coming her way following her social media post in which she talked about her family members being killed.
"What is shocking is when I made the video, it came from a place of pain, anger, and hate about what is happening, and instead of support, I am getting a lot of abusive messages," she said.
The conflict began after Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday, bringing gunbattle to its streets for the first time in decades. More than 1,800 lives have already been claimed on both sides and perhaps hundreds more. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel.
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.