MM Keeravani-composed song “Naatu Naatu” from celebrated filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus RRR (2022) is on a winning spree. After walking away with the prestigious Golden Globe Award at the recently concluded ceremony, the song has now entered the Oscars race in the Best Original Song category.
“Naatu Naatu” is one of the most-watched songs on YouTube and has amassed millions of views in various languages. What works in the favour of the song is its highly energetic beats and equally enchanting dance steps by the lead stars Jr NTR and Ram Charan.
But won’t you be surprised to know if we tell you that “Naatu Naatu” is not the favourite song of NTR and Charan from RRR? Yes, you read that right! While the world of celebrating the global success of the song, let us inform you what lead stars Jr NTR and Ram Charan had said about the film’s album before its release.
During an interview when composer MM Keeravaani asked the stars about their favourite songs in the album, none of them mentioned “Naatu Naatu”.
“While in terms of the film’s situation, “Komuram Bheemudo” is a favourite but honestly, on the whole, Dosti is my pick of the lot,” Jr NTR had said.
“The way Dosti brings together fire and water and two powerful characters, it has to be Dosti for me,” he added.
However, for Ram Charan, it was “Janani” that stole his heart. “Irrespective of how many times I listen to it, Janani leaves me teary-eyed,” the actor said.
Meanwhile, talking about the Oscar nomination for “Naatu Naatu,” Keeravani said, “It feels great. My feelings about the Oscars are the best because it involves the dreams of artists from all over the world; which is not a joke. It takes a great deal of effort and credibility. That’s why the Oscars is the Oscars. That’s why we respect and value it very much. And I’m very proud to be nominated for the first time from [South] Asia in this music category. I’m thrilled.”
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.