ActressAishwarya Rai Bachchan, an epitome of beauty and talent has on several occasions won the hearts of her fans with her glamorous look and amazing acting skills.
With Mani Ratnam's semi-biographical Tamil political drama Iruvar, the actress had an outstanding film debut in 1997. In the same year, her first Hindi film Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya was also released. Later, she acted in movies such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Mohabbatein, and Dhoom 2, among others.
As the stunning actress turns a year older today, let us look at some of her remarkable performances.
Iruvar (1997)
Iruvar, Mani Ratnam's semi-biographical Tamil political drama, was an impressive celluloid debut for the actor. Few actors get to launch their careers with dual parts, but Rai Bachchan was an exception. She played the dual roles of Pushpavalli and Kalpana with seasoned delicacy, the latter being a fictionalised version of former politician and actor Jayalalithaa.
Devdas (2002)
Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is considered a classic film. Devdas Mukherjee (SRK)'s life takes a turn for the worst once his family stops him from marrying Paro (Aishwarya Rai). At the 48th Filmfare Awards, she won the Best Actress award for her remarkable performance.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
The actor played Nandini, a young girl filled with liveliness and humour. She played the role with three shades, deep love for Sameer (Salman Khan), callousness for her spouse Vanraj (Ajay Devgn), and eventual regret for him. Rai infused the character with both charisma and maturity.
Guru (2007)
Rai played the wife of Abhishek Bachchan's character Guru, who was a bit of a renegade with a strong mind of her own. Aishwarya Rai played a tough lady who recognised her rights and refused to submit to patriarchal diktats in the drama set in the 1950s.
Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022)
Aishwarya Rai's mesmerizing beauty left everyone awestruck in this movie. In a film based on Kalki's epic saga of the Chola dynasty and the power struggle for the coveted throne, Aishwarya played Nandini, a character who is far more intelligent and calculative than any of the mighty kings and who knows how to use her beauty to her advantage.
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.