Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who is the National Ambassador of UNICEF and has always been vocal about children's rights, attended the Radio4Child Awards.
The fifth edition of the UNICEF India Radio4Child Awards, held on Tuesday, honoured the outstanding contributions of 22 radio professionals from All India Radio, private FM stations, and community radio for their exemplary work in creating awareness on routine immunization, and climate change child protection issues.
Ayushmann Khurrana highlighted three themes that impact children's rights.
Addressing the award winners and radio professionals, Ayushmann Khurrana shared how his career started as an RJ and said, "This is the most relatable day as I started my journey as a radio presenter. I am proud to be a radio person. I have been with UNICEF for the last 5 years. Now, it's time for radio professionals. You have taken the onus, you are taking it forward, which is a moment of pride. You are the opinion leaders, you have proved that it's not just about entertainment it's empowering people, educating them, informing them. It's not only about music, it's beyond that. You have social responsibility on your shoulders."
He added "I'm deeply invested in child rights, rights that help children survive, thrive, and develop in a safe environment, enabling them to be and to do their best in their lives. Today, we celebrate the talents of radio professionals, whose work reaches millions with important messages that help children realize their aspirations. As storytellers, educators, and changemakers they remind us that radio is more than entertainment, it is a powerful medium for good."
The Radio4Child Awards 2024 received 165 entries from 59 radio professionals across 20 states, reflecting a collective effort to amplify messages that impact children. Radio4Child is a vibrant public-private partnership, bringing together radio professionals from all over India while enhancing the understanding of radio professionals on child rights.
Ayushmann was appointed UNICEF India's Celebrity Advocate in September 2020 to advocate for ending violence against children and the broader child rights agenda.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Ayushmann was last seen in the comedy-drama Dream Girl 2. The film also starred Ananya Panday, Annu Kapoor, and Abhishek Banerjee. It emerged as a hit.
He is also excited about his next slate of films, which will be released this year. He said that he will explore a 'number of genres' in 2024.
Ayushmann said in a statement, "I'm going to experiment with a lot of genres in 2024. My slate of films will be extremely diverse as always and it will focus solely on delivering quality theatrical experience to the audience. I'm currently locking some interesting films that one will love watching with the entire family in theatres."
"Delivering a shared community-watching experience has always been my priority as an entertainer. My next set of films will reflect my theatrical content choices as an audience. I have always chosen my films keeping in mind the movies I would like to watch in cinemas. "In 2024, I'm going to follow my gut even more. I'm thrilled to share my lineup with all of you and the reveal will happen in due course of time because each one of these films deserves a big announcement," he added.
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.