As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath of office for his third consecutive term, Bollywood celebrities took to their social media to extend their heartfelt wishes to him.
Actor Sidharth Malhotra took to his Instagram Stories in the early hours of Monday to post a congratulatory message and wrote, "PM Modi ji, congratulations on a historic third term.
Similarly, Varun Dhawan, who recently became a proud father to a baby girl, also congratulated PM Modi.
"Congratulations Shri @narendramodi ji for a historic 3rd term and the swearing-in ceremony. May you guide our country to greater heights. Hari Om," Varun wrote on X.
Rajkummar Rao shared a picture of Modi and wrote, "My heartiest congratulations to our esteemed PM Shri @narendramodi ji on this historic third consecutive win. May our country continue to flourish under your exemplary leadership. God bless you sir. @PMOIndia."
'Kantara' actor Rishab Shetty also extended his wishes to PM Modi on X and wrote, "Congratulations to #Narendramodi on his 3rd term as Prime Minister of India. We deeply value your dedication towards the development, education, and national safety (sic)."
Megastar Chiranjeevi congratulated PM Modi and wrote, "Hearty Congratulations to Shri @narendramodi ji on being sworn in as the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India for a historic third term! I wish you and all the wonderful ministers in your cabinet all the strength to take our country forward on the path of prosperity and glory (sic)."
Actor Vijay, on behalf of his political party, Tamilaga Vetrri Kazhagam, wished PM Modi. He wrote, "I extend my congratulations to Thiru. @narendramodi Avl on being sworn in as @PMOIndia for the third consecutive term (sic)."
Actor Suniel Shetty also took to IG story and wrote, "Congratulations Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on the historic third term. Wishing you continued strength and wisdom in your leadership as you guide India towards greater prosperity and unity. @narendramodi"
Filmmaker Karan Johar also took to his Instagram and wrote, "Heartiest congratulations to our honourable Prime Minister - Shri Narendra Modi ji. India looks forward to being led by your strength, passion and vision for the years to come! @narendramodi"
The oath ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, was graced by luminaries from various fields, including Bollywood celebrities, ministers, and business magnates.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to PM Modi, who reiterated his unwavering commitment to serving the nation and steering it towards prosperity.
His resounding victory in the recent elections, securing 293 seats for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, reaffirmed his popularity and the trust bestowed upon him by the people.
The convergence of politics, glamour, and business was palpable at the ceremony, symbolizing the multifaceted nature of India's socio-political landscape.
Bollywood stars like Kangana Ranaut, Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Anupam Kher added a touch of glitz and glamour to the event. Kangana Ranaut, recently elected to the Lok Sabha from the Mandi constituency, mesmerized in a white and gold saree, epitomizing grace and elegance.
The business magnate Mukesh Ambani, accompanied by his son Anant Ambani was also present at the ceremony.
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.