On 20th April, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan quietly acknowledged her 18th wedding anniversary with Abhishek Bachchan by sharing a photo on Instagram. The image featured the couple with their daughter Aaradhya, all dressed in white and smiling for a casual selfie. Aishwarya kept the caption simple, posting only a white heart emoji.
The post caught attention not just because of the milestone it celebrated, but also because it was the first public image of the couple together in months. Rumours of a possible split had been doing the rounds, especially after their limited appearances together at recent events. However, the anniversary post and a few recent family outings seemed to push those whispers aside, at least for now.
Social media was quick to react. Fans flooded the comments with relief, admiration, and well-wishes. One follower cheekily noted how Abhishek’s glasses matched Aishwarya’s lipstick, while others expressed joy at seeing the trio in one frame again.
Speculation around the couple’s relationship grew earlier this year when they attended events separately, including Anant Ambani’s wedding festivities. The gossip escalated after Abhishek liked a post referring to divorce, though neither of them addressed the matter publicly.
In recent weeks, however, they’ve been spotted together more often. Earlier this month, they attended a family wedding in Pune, where a video showed them dancing together to Kajra Re, a song that originally featured the duo and Amitabh Bachchan in Bunty Aur Babli.
Aishwarya and Abhishek first worked together in Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, but it was during Umrao Jaan and Dhoom 2 that their connection deepened. Their engagement followed soon after, with Abhishek reportedly proposing in New York using a prop ring from Guru. They married in 2007 and became parents to Aaradhya in 2011.
While Aishwarya was last seen in Ponniyin Selvan: II, Abhishek’s most recent appearance was in Be Happy, a father-daughter drama on Prime Video. He’ll next be seen in the ensemble comedy Housefull 5.
Aishwarya, Abhishek, and Aaradhya share a joyous moment, silencing split rumours Getty Images
The anniversary post didn’t come with a captioned declaration or long message. But in its simplicity, it said what it needed to: still here, still together.
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.