A HIGH-ENERGY Bollywood-inspired performance helped Machel Montano overcome tough competition and win the B Mobile Chutney Soca Monarch compe tition for 2025.
The soca superstar delighted a packed audience at Skinner Park in San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago, with his spicy song Pepper Vine, which lit up the biggest annual celebration of Indian culture in the Ca ribbean. The explosive stage performance, featuring guest singers Drupatie Ramgoon ai and Lady Lava, added to his many acco lades, including a Calypso Monarch title.
Montano praised the audience and said: “The love from the audience is everything. This is a cyclic process. When we get that energy, we give it right back to them. When I’m out there, the audience is part of one organism.We share in a moment. We be come one together, musically, with the vi bration. So, once I’m getting it from them, I’m feeling overjoyed, and could just go more and more.”
After the performance, Montano exclu sively told Eastern Eye about his deep de sire to work in Bollywood and revealed the secret behind his immense power on stage. He said: “Well, the whole stadium was shaking. I think you have to go beyond yourself, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. I do a lot of yoga and medita tion, so I understand that the physical body is just one sheet, and we could go beyond that with vibrations, music, and looking at peo ple, touching them from some where deeper, from the heart, soul, and spirit. That’s where the energy comes from.”
Neval Chatelal, a former winner, was the runner-up. Nine-time champi on Rikki Jai took third place and was gracious in defeat, telling reporters, “It’s an achieve ment to walk away from something and just come back in the winner’s row. For me, it’s always been the judge’s decision that is final.”
Jai, the only survivor from the inaugural competition in 1996, congratulated the winner and said: “This could be what change is all about and sometimes this is what is required for a country to under stand that race has no part in competitions. Race has no part in culture. You know, the culture belongs to everyone, every creed, every race.”
Warrior Princess Reshma Ramlal won the Chutney Soca Queen title, narrowly beating Vanessa Ramoutar by a single point.
Although they didn’t win, other compet itors, including Wakaman, Reehanna Gopaul, Ricardo Melville, Hurricane Hemlata Dindial, Master Saleem, Adesh Samaroo, Veekash Sahadeo, Terry Gajraj, and de fending champion Rick Ram, all delivered fine performances.
Rikki Jai
The annual event, founded by George Singh, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a show that included headline performanc es from the band Karma, led by Ravi B and Nisha B. Other artists, outside the contes tants, who participated in the six-hour show included Rasika Dindial, Nishard M, and Savita Singh. Music icon Terry Gajraj, a wildcard in the final, was given an award to mark his path-breaking hit Guyana Baboo.
Hit-making music producer Big Rich was also given special recognition. “This was a celebration of our Caribbean culture and a salute to our Indian roots. As it was the 30th anniversary, we brought together talents representing the past, present, and future of chutney soca music. Machel Montano was a worthy winner, proving that there should be no barriers when it comes to music and creativity,” explained George Singh.
Some of the country’s finest dancers also participated in the memorable event, showcasing colourful costumes. The free event, with 1,500 people backstage, has been a cultural cornerstone in Trinidad & Tobago, celebrating the vibrant fusion of Indo-Caribbean and Afro-Caribbean musi cal traditions. Over the years, the govern ment-supported showcase has provided a platform for both established and emerg ing artists. This 30th celebration was per haps the finest yet.
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.