Ajay Devgn and Kajol are one of the power couples in Bollywood. They have been vocal about each other. Recently, in an interaction with a leading Indian daily, Ajay was asked whether Kajol criticizes his work, he said, "No, she doesn’t have the guts to (he jokes), but my daughter, Nysa, does. She is my harshest critic. She doesn’t spare me."
Talking about strong women in his life, he said, "I’m fortunate to have grown up surrounded by strong women. I wouldn’t be half the man I am had it not been for the contribution of my mother and my two sisters, all of whom are fantastic. And now, I have Kajol, who is independent and every inch her own person. Nysa, too, is showing signs of becoming an independent, strong-minded person. I respect women and I think that International Women’s Day is just a day for men to remember that women are/will always be as strong as them if not stronger. Their strength needs to be celebrated every day of the year."
On the work front, Ajay Devgn will be next seen as an Income Tax Officer in Raid starring opposite Ileana D’Cruz. The film is helmed by Raj Kumar Gupta and is scheduled to release on March 16, 2018. Post the film, Ajay Devgn will be featured in Total Dhamaal which is Indra Kumar’s directorial. The star cast of the film also includes Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi who will reprise their roles from the film’s previous installment. The film will also feature Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. Total Dhamaal is scheduled to release on December 7, 2018.
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.