In a major development, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan has been given a clean chit by India’s anti-drug agency Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the drugs-on-cruise case. The 24-year-old was arrested last year in the case along with Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha.
In a statement, the NCB said the agency could not find sufficient evidence against Aryan Khan and the five others accused in the case. The anti-drugs agency has filed a 6,000-page charge sheet, naming 14 accused. Besides Aryan Khan, 19 other accused were arrested in the case.
In the statement, the NCB said, “Based on an input, NCB Mumbai had on October 2, 2021, intercepted Vikrant, Ishmeet, Arbaaz, Aryan, and Gomit at International Port Terminal, Mumbai Port Trust, and Nupur, Mohak, and Munmum at the Cordelia Cruise. All the accused persons were found in possession of narcotics except Aryan and Mohak.”
“Based on the investigation carried out by the SIT, a complaint against 14 persons under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act is being filed,” the statement further read.
Aryan Khan was arrested by the NCB on the intervening night of October 2 and 3 last year on charges of drug conspiracy and consuming drugs. NCB officials had raided a cruise ship in Mumbai, saying they had been tipped off that there were drugs on board.
After interrogation, Aaryan Khan was remanded to judicial custody, though no drugs were recovered from him. On October 28, the Bombay High Court granted him bail after he spent nearly three weeks in jail.
Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, who represented Aryan Khan in court and secured bail for him, said that Shah Rukh Khan is “very relieved”.
“I am very relieved and so must be my clients, including Shah Rukh Khan. Ultimately, truth has prevailed,” he told an Indian publication.
He continued, “There was no material to charge this young man or arrest him. No drugs were found on him. I am happy that the NCB acted professionally in admitting their mistake.”
“The anxiety it caused to the accused and his parents...it was a harrowing experience for him and his family,” Rohatgi concluded.
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Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.