Composer and sitarist Anoushka Shankar is set to perform at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on February 5.
The sitar player will perform the song Udhero Na alongside vocalist Arooj Aftab from his new album Vulture Prince. The track is nominated in the Best Global Music Performance category at this year's Grammys.
Shankar's latest album Between Us… with Metropole Orkest & Jules Buckley featuring Manu Delago has also been nominated for the Best Global Music Album, making her the first Indian female musician to receive two Grammy nods in one year.
"I'm genuinely over the moon to be performing at the Grammy Awards premiere ceremony for the third time. This time I'm excited to share the stage with the wonderful Arooj Aftab, playing her beautiful song Udhero Na.
"I’m grateful my music on this song and on my album Between Us… has been recognised with a nomination again and am proud to represent India and my instrument, the sitar, on this world stage," she said in a statement.
At the Grammys, Shankar became the first Indian woman ever nominated and youngest-ever nominee in the World Music Category for her album Live At Carnegie Hall in 2002.
She was also the first Indian musician to perform at the ceremony in 2005, served as a presenter in 2016, and performed for the second time in 2021.
She was also been nominated at the biggest music awards for her work on albums Rise, Traveller, Traces Of You, Home, Land Of Gold and Love Letters.
The 65th Grammy Awards ceremony will stream live on the Recording Academy's YouTube channel and on live.Grammy.com.
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.