Nobody can deny the fact that several popular actors working today in Bollywood have celebrity lineages. Be it Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, or Ananya Panday, they all come from influential showbiz families that have been a part of films for several decades.
Having said that, not all star-kids make big in the business. There is a long list of star children whose careers were launched with much fanfare, but the audience outright rejected them. Most of them go into oblivion if they are not as talented as their actor parents.
The debate around the topic of nepotism is unending in Bollywood. Recently, during a press conference of Prakash Jha’s Aashram 3, actor Adhyayan Suman gave possibly the best reaction to the debate on nepotism.
Adhyayan, who is the son of popular actor and host Shekhar Suman, said, “It has been ten years, it has not worked for me. I think if we see today, a film done by Alia Bhatt like Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) is receiving the same amount of love as Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) is receiving.”
The actor went on to add, “I think it was a very futile conversation when people started talking about nepotism. At the end of the day, the x-factor that the audience expects is most important. Audience acceptance matters a lot. Nothing happens with nepotism. No matter how many films I do in my life, if I don’t have the talent then the audience will not accept me.”
Adhyayan opened up about his struggles and said that he also had many struggles and difficulties in life and has done work to reach where he is today. He added that he almost lost all expectations in life and then the offer of Aashram came. He concluded by saying that nothing happens with nepotism.
Also starring Bobby Deol, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Aaditi Pohankar, Tushar Pandey, Darshan Kumar, Anupriya Goenka, and Tridha Choudhury in important roles, Aashram 3 is scheduled to premiere on June 3 on MX Player.
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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.