By Murtuza Iqbal
South Korean boy band BTS has a huge fan following in India. Their fans are known as ARMY and as India battles with the second wave of Covid-19, the band has a message for the country.
V, a member of the band, told PTI, "Our prayers are with India. Stay strong ARMY and let's never lose hope." Recently, the band released a song titled Butter which has received a great response.
When asked about the idea behind this single, Jimin (25) said, "We wanted a summer song that we can enjoy together with ARMY and everyone. And 'Butter' was the perfect fit.”
"It's a song brimming with the charms of BTS, so I hope everyone enjoys it!" V added.
The group performed Butter at the recently held Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs). While talking about performing at the awards, Suga stated, "One of the most memorable moments last year was when we got our first number one song on the Billboard's Hot 100 chart. So it's an honour to perform Butter for the first time at the awards show that bears such a special meaning for us," the 28-year-old added. Jung Kook, the youngest BTS member, said he hopes ARMY likes their act.
"As we always do, we prepared a spectacular performance for this year's BBMAs too. So I hope our fans like it," Jung Kook added.
BTS debuted in 2013 and to mark their eighth anniversary, the group announced a special two-day event, 'BTS 2021 Muster SOWOOZOO' in June. When asked how the future looks for the band, Suga said, "We want to connect with everyone around the world with great music and stages, and keep going as a group.”
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.