More than three decades after Home Alone 2: Lost in New York hit cinemas, director Chris Columbus is still dealing with the fallout of a seven-second scene that’s aged badly in his eyes. In a recent chat with the San Francisco Chronicle, Columbus opened up about how he regrets including Donald Trump’s blink-and-miss-it appearance in the holiday sequel. “It’s become a curse,” he admitted. “An albatross.”
The cameo in question features Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McCallister walking into the Plaza Hotel and asking Trump who owned the hotel at the time for directions. That brief exchange has become one of the most talked-about moments from the film, but not for the reasons Columbus would’ve hoped.
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Columbus has shared before that the production team wanted to shoot in the Plaza and were told the only way they could do that was if Trump got to be in the movie. They agreed, filmed the scene, and initially thought nothing more of it. But during a test screening in Chicago, the audience’s loud reaction convinced Columbus to keep it in. “They cheered. They loved it. I thought, okay, maybe it works as a moment,” he recalled.
Fast forward to today, and the director can’t shake off the regret. “I wish it wasn’t there,” he said. “It’s become something I don’t want to be associated with.”
Director Chris Columbus reflects on the lasting impact of a seven-second cameo he never wanted to keepGetty Images
Trump, on the other hand, has claimed that Columbus and his team were practically “begging” him to appear. Posting on Truth Social last year, he dismissed Columbus’s version of events and insisted the cameo helped boost the film’s success.
Columbus, not amused, denied ever asking Trump to be part of the film for artistic reasons. “There’s no version of this story where I’m begging a non-actor to be in my movie,” he said. “We just needed the hotel.”
The original poster for Home Alone 2Getty Images
While Trump’s fans still celebrate the moment, others including Culkin himself have shown support for the idea of digitally removing the scene altogether. In fact, when a fan suggested replacing Trump with an older version of Culkin, the actor replied simply: “Sold.”
For Columbus, it’s not just about politics. It’s about a brief moment that’s come to define more than it should. “I just wish it was gone.”
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.