The Coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on Bollywood in an unprecedented way. While India is currently under a complete lockdown of 21 days in order to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 across the entire length and breadth of the country, the pandemic has left tens of thousands of daily wagers in shambles as they suddenly find themselves out of work because movie and TV productions have come to a complete halt.
Thankfully, several bodies and celebrities have come forward to lend their helping hands to those in need in these trying times, superstar Ajay Devgn being one of them. To support almost five lakh cine-workers whose livelihoods are on hold due to the abrupt work stoppage in the industry, the superstar has made a donation of ₹51 lakhs towards Federation of Western India Cinema Employees (FWICE).
Confirming the development and thanking Devgn for his contribution, the President of IFTDA, Ashoke Pandit, took to Twitter and wrote, “Dear Ajay Devgn, we thank you for your generous contribution of ₹51 lakhs towards FWICE, for the benefit of our 5-lakh cine-workers. You have proved time and again, especially in times of crisis, that you are a real life Singham. God bless you.” Pandit also shared a video with his tweet.
FWICE has also been distributing grocery kits to daily wagers of the industry ever since the Indian government announced the complete lockdown across the country.
On the work front, Ajay Devgn will next be seen in Bhuj: The Pride of India. The patriotic film, inspired from a real-life army mission, will be followed up by Amit Sharma’s sports drama Maidaan.
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.