It is no more a secret that actor Ali Fazal is dating his Fukrey (2013) co-star Richa Chadda. Love blossomed between the two in 2016, and they confirmed their relationship in the year 2017.
Talking about Richa, Ali says that he looks up to her every time he needs an advice for a particular scene or a sequence. “Sometimes, if I need advice for doing a scene or a sequence, I look up to her, as I think she will tell me something new. That’s it.”
When prodded on marriage plans, Fazal said, “It’s not like I don’t want to get married. Now is not the right time to discuss marriage and all. We both are extremely busy with back-to-back film shoots.”
The actor is currently looking forward to the release of his upcoming film Prassthanam. In the movie, he shares the screen space with superstar Sanjay Dutt for the first time ever.
Sharing his experience of working with him, Ali Fazal said, “I have been a big fan of his since a long time. I didn’t think Baba would be so chilled out! If I ever got nervous, he always said, ‘Ali, don’t get confused. Take your time and then give the shot, but don’t take tension.’ Even while doing emotional scenes, he always asked me to do it with absolute intensity.”
Also starring Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff and Amyra Dastur in lead roles, Prassthanam is scheduled for arriving in cinemas on 20th September. Besides Prassthanam, Ali Fazal will also be seen in horror-comedy Bhoot Police, which also features Saif Ali Khan and Fatima Sana Shaikh in important roles.
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.