At a press event for his upcoming film Kesari Chapter 2, Akshay Kumar was asked about recent remarks made by veteran actor and politician Jaya Bachchan, who criticised the title of his 2017 movie Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. Jaya Bachchan had dismissed the film during a public interaction, saying she would never watch a movie with such a title. “Is that even a name for a film?” she asked the audience, adding that the film was a “flop” based on the crowd’s lukewarm response when asked if they had seen it.
Caught off guard, Akshay Kumar initially said he wasn’t aware of the comment but responded with a measured tone: “If she’s said something, maybe she’s right. If making Toilet: Ek Prem Katha was a mistake, then I’ll accept that.”
However, he also stood by the intention behind the film. “I’ve made movies like Pad Man, Airlift, Kesari, all with a purpose. I make these films with full honesty. They try to raise awareness, and I believe that counts,” he added. He stressed that films like Toilet and Pad Man are still used by the government to educate people in villages, showing their long-term impact.
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Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, starring Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar, was inspired by real events and tackled the issue of sanitation in rural India. The plot followed a newlywed woman who leaves her husband’s home due to the lack of a toilet, sparking a larger conversation about dignity, hygiene, and outdated traditions. The film earned over £29.7 million (₹316 crore) worldwide and was appreciated for its message-driven narrative.
Jaya Bachchan’s dismissal of the film sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing that the title might have put off certain audiences, while others defended the film’s social relevance.
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Meanwhile, Kesari Chapter 2, Kumar’s next film, tells the story of C Sankaran Nair, a prominent lawyer who challenged British colonial power after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Co-starring Ananya Panday and R Madhavan, the film releases on April 18.
Akshay Kumar may have kept his response diplomatic, but his body of work continues to reflect a clear pattern: using mainstream cinema to shine a light on everyday issues, even if not everyone approves of the packaging.
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.