Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has reclaimed the crown of the sexiest Asian woman on the planet.
This is the second time in three years that the multi-award winning actress has topped the globally renowned 50 Sexiest Asian Women In The World list published by UK-based Eastern Eye newspaper.
Padukone, who recently got married to A-list star Ranveer Singh, kicked off the year by playing the lead role in Bollywood blockbuster Padmaavat. Her many magical moments in 2018 ranged from a stunning turn on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet to continuing the quest to spread mental health awareness through her Live Love Laugh Foundation.
For Padukone, it is what is on the inside that matters and she said: “Honesty and authenticity, I find that extremely attractive. It’s empowering and liberating.”
Now in its 15th year, Eastern Eye's 50 Sexiest Asian Women In The World list is based on millions of votes sent in around the world, media coverage, impact and heat generated across social media platforms.
The mass interest in the 2018 edition list was such that it trended on social media across different countries during the voting process.
Eastern Eye’s award-winning Entertainment editor Asjad Nazir, who founded the list and puts it together annually, said: “Apart from being the undisputed queen of Bollywood and a strikingly beautiful star, what really makes Deepika Padukone special is how big her heart is and how grounded she has remained throughout her remarkable rise.
@Deepika’s humility has been inspirational and the way she makes a positive impact through raising awareness of mental health is showing everyone that being yourself and letting your inner light shine is the new sexy.”
Last year’s winner Priyanka Chopra came in second and had another year of being a great global ambassador for her country.
Talented actress Nia Sharma came in at number three and held onto her position as the sexiest television star in the list for a stunning third year in a row.
“As much as I want to hide my excitement right now, I cannot help but smile brightly and let out a big hurray because it truly feels awesome. I have to acknowledge my amazing fans who have made it happen for a third time in a row, telling me you own it. I want to tell them we own it. Also a big thanks to Asjad Nazir,” said Sharma.
Mahira Khan came in fourth and held onto her title as the sexiest Pakistani on the planet.
Mahira had another year of being a strong symbol of girl power, which included being the first Pakistani to walk the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival in a major way, raising money for charity, highlighting social causes, inspiring young girls and being a strong working mother.
“I am grateful to be part of this list once again. My fans are my strength so thank you to them. I think personally sexy is what sexy does and I hope to continue to work hard at what I do with as much as passion as I have been from the start,” said Khan.
The rest of the top 10 from the 2018 list was made up of Shivangi Joshi (5), Alia Bhatt (6), Sonam Kapoor (7), Hina Khan (8), Katrina Kaif (9) and Niti Taylor (10).
The highest place newcomer in the list is rising star Ashi Singh (18) and the youngest in the list is 20-year-old television actress Shivangi Joshi (5), who continues to shine on hit TV serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.
One of two editor’s choices for 2018 is actress Sanam Saeed (19), who is pushing the creative boundaries in Pakistan and regularly speaking about a wide array of important social issues including women’s empowerment.
The second editor’s choice and the oldest in the list is 51-year-old actress Madhuri Dixit (45).
“Iconic star Madhuri Dixit has inspired an entire generation with her brilliance and continues to be the shining beacon of light for others to follow. She is quite comprehensively showing age is just a number and how fabulous being in the fifties is,” said Nazir.
Other names in the 2018 list include Helly Shah (11), Drashti Dhami (12), Jennifer Winget (13), Erica Fernandes (15), Surbhi Chandna (16), Gauahar Khan (17), Anushka Shetty (22), Armeena Rana Khan (24), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (30), Athiya Shetty (31), Jameela Jamil (34), Jasmin Walia (38), Mehwish Hayat (40), Iqra Aziz (46) and Jacqueline Fernandez (47).
The complete 50 Sexiest Asian Women list for 2018 is published in Eastern Eye newspaper on December 7 and the list of 50 Sexiest Asian men is released on December 14.
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.