Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, is grabbing headlines quite often these days. He was recently in news for announcing his debut directorial project, followed by his business venture in association with business partners Bunty Singh and Leti Blagoeva and then link-up rumours with actress Nora Fatehi.
He is now in news for a viral selfie wherein he is seen posing with popular Pakistani actor Sadia Khan.
For those not in the know, Sadia has a slew of successful projects to her name, but she is mostly known for her role in both seasons of the critically acclaimed Pakistani drama series Khuda Aur Muhabbat, based on the novel of the same name written by Hashim Nadeem. The show also stars Imran Abbas Naqvi in the lead role, who plays her love interest.
Sadia shared the photo with Aryan on her Instagram Stories and wrote in the caption, “Throwback to the New Year’s Eve.”
In the picture, she is dressed resplendently in a black dress and a black coat, while Aryan is seen clad in blue jeans, a red T-shirt, and a white jacket.
Meanwhile, Aryan Khan announced his first Bollywood project on social media on 6 December. It will be bankrolled by his father, Shah Rukh Khan, under the banner of Red Chillies Entertainment. He shared a picture of a clapboard with 'Red Chillies Entertainment' written on it, along with a script that had his name printed in bold letters.
“Wrapped with the writing…can’t wait to say action,” he wrote in the caption.
While Aryan is gearing up to commence his directorial venture, his father is waiting for the release of his much-anticipated film Pathaan, scheduled to hit cinemas on January 25, 2023. The action thriller, directed by Siddharth Anand, also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.