As the year comes to a close, IMDb has announced the list of their ‘Top 10 Most Popular Indian Stars’ of 2022. The list includes the names of several prominent actors from various film industries across India, with Tamil star Dhanush bagging the topping spot.
Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, who most recently welcomed her first child with husband Ranbir Kapoor, secured the second spot, while the Ponniyin Selvan star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan bagged the third spot on the list that IMDB shared on Wednesday.
What makes IMDb’s most popular Indian stars list for 2022 even more interesting is the fact that six out of the top ten stars, including Ram Charan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, NTR Jr, Allu Arjun, and Yash, are not from Bollywood but south Indian film industries.
Tollywood actors Ram Charan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu have been ranked at the fourth and fifth slot, respectively. Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan bagged the sixth spot while Kiara Advani came at seventh. NT Rama Rao Jr, who impressed everyone with his captivating performance in SS Rajamouli’s RRR, took the eighth slot while Tollywood star Allu Arjun and Sandalwood star Yash took the ninth and tenth slots, respectively.
While Dhanush had five films released this year, including the ‘Russo Brothers' The Gray Man alongside Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans and the Tamil blockbuster Thiruchitrambalam in addition to Naane Varuven and Vaathi, Alia Bhatt featured in three hit films including Gangubai Kathiawadi, Darlings, and Brahmastra Part One: Shiva in 2022.
The actress told IMDb in a statement, “2022 has by far been the most memorable year I have had at the movies. I am forever thankful and grateful for the love the audience gave all my films this year and feel honoured to have collaborated with our country’s finest filmmakers and artists. IMDb is a true testament to the people’s voice and I hope I can continue to entertain the audience for as long as I face the camera! Love and light. Thank you once again.”
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.