Anoushka Shankar is set to return to the Grammy Awards as a presenter at the 67th edition of the ceremony. The celebrated sitarist, who has been nominated for Grammy Awards 11 times, expressed her excitement on Instagram about being given the opportunity to represent India globally once again. In her post, Anoushka shared how thrilled she was to serve as a presenter at the GRAMMY Premiere Ceremony this Sunday.
The musician reminisced about her first experience presenting at the Grammys in 2016, marking a historic moment as she became the first Indian musician to present at the prestigious ceremony. That year, she was also nominated for her fifth Grammy for her classical album Home. Reflecting on the changes that have occurred in her life and the world since then, Shankar noted, “Although so much has changed personally and globally over the last nine years, I find myself once again in the wonderful position of representing India on the global stage.”
In addition to presenting, Anoushka has been nominated for two Grammys this year. She is up for Best World Music Album for her latest work Ch II: How Dark It is Before Dawn and a nomination for her featuring role on Jacob Collier's A Rock Somewhere. These nominations mark her 10th and 11th Grammy nominations, adding another milestone to her distinguished career.
Anoushka’s presence at the Grammys comes at a time when the ceremony is also aiming to raise funds for wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles. The 67th Grammys will feature performances by top artists such as Chris Martin, John Legend, and Stevie Wonder, among others. Shankar is also preparing for upcoming tours, including performances in the US in March and in India later in December.
Alongside her Grammy nominations, Anoushka recently released a new track, Hiraeth, which she is celebrating. As she gears up for this significant moment, Shankar’s role as a presenter and nominee further solidifies her place as a key figure in global music, proudly representing India on the world stage.
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.