Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper revealed that he was mocked by a famous director for having seven Oscar nominations.
In a recent podcast, Cooper said the incident occurred when Cooper attended a party after the award season of his film, A Star Is Born. The director who mocked The Hangover star was also present at the party. Cooper was joined by a friend and an actress who also had three Oscar nominations, at the event.
The director mocked Cooper and said, “What world are we living in where you have 7 nominations and she's only got three?”
Recalling the incident at the podcast, Cooper admitted that at that point he felt like asking the director, "Bro, why are you such an asshole?" He added, "I would never... forget that."
However, as per Variety, Cooper has faced such condescending remarks earlier as well. Cooper said that one time a 'female actor' mocked him for nabbing his first Oscar nomination for the film, 'Silver Linings Playbook' starring Jennifer Lawrence.
Cooper reiterated that the woman said, "I saw your movie. You deserve the nom." Later when the actor passed the woman while going to the bathroom, the woman again mouthed the words 'The nom'.
Cooper admitted thinking, "What is this town? Can you imagine saying that to somebody?"
Cooper's musical drama, 'A Star Is Born' also featuring singer Lady Gaga increased his haul of Oscar nominations from four to seven, reported Variety.
Meanwhile, the 48-year-old actor is expected to nab more Oscar nominations with his next direction in the Netflix film, Maestro, based upon the legendary Broadway composer, Leonard Bernstein. Cooper would star as Bernstein opposite actor Carey Mulligan playing Bernstein's wife Felicia Montealegre.
Talking about Maestro, Cooper disclosed that the movie is "about marriage, a movie about family. That's it," reported Variety.
'Maestro' has created quite a buzz after Netflix dropped the first look images of the actor, in a never-before-seen avatar. The film is expected to release next year, in 2023.
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.