The world premiere event for Bridgerton Season 2 was held on Tuesday at the Tate Modern in London. The star-studded event saw the presence of the much-anticipated show’s lead stars, including Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran. The duo posed together with Jonathan Bailey on the red carpet.
The lead stars of the show gathered at the event to watch the first showing of the period drama, which is set to start streaming on Netflix on March 25. They walked the red-carpet event looking drop-dead gorgeous. It was a treat to see Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Charithra Chandran having a gala time as they posed together.
Simone, 26, slid into a structured white crop top with black lace sleeves and a matching skirt. It also featured tights and a pair of strappy black heels.
Charithra Chandran, on the other hand, rocked a bold white strapless dress with billowing sleeves and a red floral print pattern.
Ted Sarandos, Chris Van Dusen, Simone Ashley, Betsy Beers, Jonathan Bailey, Charithra Chandran and Shonda Rhimes attend the "Bridgerton" Series 2 World Premiere at Tate Modern on March 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
The successful Netflix drama follows the Bridgerton siblings as they try to find love in Regency-era England. Ahead of the release of Season 2, the world premiere event for Bridgerton saw everyone in attendance including producer Shonda Rhimes, showrunner Chris Van Dusen, and executive producer Betsy Beer.
The second season of Bridgerton introduces audiences to the new characters of Kate and Edwina Sharma played by Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandan respectively who will play a key part as Daphne Bridgerton’s (Phoebe Dynevor) brother Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) kick-starts his search to find himself the perfect suitor.
Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington/Lady Whistledown, and Phoebe Dynevor as Daphe Bridgerton also return to reprise their roles in Season 2. However, both stars were missing from the world premiere event held on Tuesday. Dynevor took to Instagram to explain her absence. She said she had to miss the event as she was busy filming another project.
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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.