Bollywood actor, producer, and philanthropist Deepika Padukone, who won rave reviews for her power-packed performance in her recent release Gehraiyaan (2022), has featured in the TIME100 Impact Awards.
The actress featured on the list for her work in films and mental health advocacy.
The Bajirao Mastani (2015) actress took to social media on Monday and shared a snapshot from the feature and captioned it, “Pretty decent start to a Monday morning I would think…#GRATITUDE @time.”
In the TIME100 feature, Padukone said that her personal experiences have determined her film choices like Piku (2015) and Gehraiyaan. “I had such a deep experience with mental illness. Not talking about it felt dishonest,” she said.
The actress first spoke openly about dealing with depression in 2015. That very same year, she also laid the foundation of the LiveLoveLaugh Foundation, which works to destigmatize mental health struggles and raise awareness.
As per the report, the foundation “offers a free counselling service, a training program for primary care physicians, access to government-aided schemes and livelihood training to more than 1,800 individuals in four rural districts in the states of Karnataka, Orissa, and Tamil Nadu.”
On the work front, Deepika Padukone has a number of exciting projects in the pipeline. She will next be seen in Yash Raj Films’ much-anticipated action thriller Pathaan, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan and John Abraham. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film is set to arrive in cinemas on January 25, 2023.
The actress also stars alongside Hrithik Roshan in Anand’s next directorial venture Fighter. The actioner marks her maiden collaboration with Roshan. Filming is expected to begin soon. Padukone is also collaborating with pan-India star Prabhas on Nag Ashwin’s untitled sci-fi film. Some portions of the film, which also features megastar Amitabh Bachchan, have been shot.
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.