Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa directorate of archaeology and museums on Tuesday took possession of the ancestral homes of legendary Bollywood actors Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar.
The provincial government had announced in September last year that it would take possession of both properties and turn them into museums after restoration.
The current owners of the houses had raised objections to the sale, which was later rejected by Peshawar district commissioner Khalid Mehmud.
The Peshawar administration issued a notification confirming the transfer of ownership of the properties to the department of archaeology and museums of the provincial government.
Director of archaeology Abdul Samad said family members of both Kumar and Kapoor would be contacted about the restoration plans. He added that the restoration of both properties and their subsequent turning into museums was aimed at restoring Peshawar city's links with Bollywood.
The government took over the properties under the compulsory property acquisition law valuing Kapoor’s haveli in Peshwar’s Dhaki Dalgaran area at Rs. 11.5 million (£52,308) and Kumar’s ancestral residence in Mohallah Khudad at Rs 7.2m (£32,749).
The previous owner of Kapoor’s ancestral home had taken up demolition of the property in 2016, which came to a halt after the intervention of the archaeology directorate. However, the exercise destroyed the upper portion of the house and badly damaged rest of it.
Acquisition of Kumar’s ancestral property was also delayed due to litigation over its price, although the government stopped its owner from making any alteration to the building.
Last month the provincial government announced the transfer of funds to the local administration to acquire the buildings after legal procedures were completed.
Raj Kapoor's ancestral home, known as Kapoor Haveli, is situated in the fabled Qissa Khwani Bazaar. It was built between 1918 and 1922. Raj Kapoor was born in the same building. As far as Dilip Kumar's over the 100-year-old ancestral house is concerned, it is also located in the same locality. The house was declared as a national heritage in 2014.
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.