By: Mohnish Singh
After being in a steady relationship for a couple of years, actors Ali Fazal and Richa Chadda were gearing up to walk down the aisle in 2020. But the sudden outbreak of Coronavirus across the globe made it all go for a toss, and now Fazal has no intention of getting hitched this year.
Talking about his marriage plans, the actor tells the media, “I am definitely not getting married in a year that has two zeros and two twos. We will probably wait for the next year. The only good thing for me this year is Mirzapur 2 coming which will keep people away from the toxicity on social media.”
Recently, Fazal took a strong stand and supported his fiancé Richa Chadda when actress Payal Ghosh dragged her name in an altercation that happened between filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and her. Chadda filed a defamation suit against Ghosh for passing a false, baseless, indecent, and derogatory statement against her.
Commenting on the issue, Fazal says, “I am glad that men can be feminists and strong ones at the same time. We just want to be there for the ones we love and make sure society is shaped into something better. We are going to try and be there for everybody. Richa is close to me and of course, I would stand by her through everything.”
Ali Fazal can be currently seen in Amazon Prime Video’s Mirzapur 2, which is the second season of Mirzapur. In addition to him, the show also features Pankaj Tripathi, Divyenndu Sharmaa, Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Dugal, and Harshita Gaur on its ensemble cast.
Mirzapur 2 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.