Ed Sheeran’s concert in Chennai turned into an unforgettable night when he surprised the crowd by bringing legendary composer A.R. Rahman on stage. The unexpected collaboration sent fans into a complete frenzy as the two global music icons merged Sheeran’s hit Shape of You with Rahman’s classic Urvashi Urvashi.
As Sheeran played the melody on his guitar, Rahman joined in with the iconic Urvashi chorus, creating an electrifying fusion of Western pop and Indian musical nostalgia. The energy in the crowd was charged, with fans singing along to the mashup. Despite some microphone issues affecting Rahman’s vocals, the iconic duo managed to keep the audience engaged. Sheeran then took over parts of the performance while the composer continued vocalizing Urvashi Urvashi.
Following the concert, Sheeran shared a video of the performance on Instagram, asking the crowd to cheer for Rahman. Fans flooded the comment section, calling the moment “iconic” and “one for the books.” Some even joked about giving Sheeran an Aadhaar card, referencing his growing connection with India.
Rahman also took to social media to thank Sheeran for the collaboration. Replying to a fan video of the performance, he wrote, “Thank you, @edsheeran! Hope to see you perform more in Chennai. Our city needs more international concerts and collaborations like yours! #ChennaiLovesEd.”
However, this wasn’t Sheeran’s first Indian collaboration. Last year, he performed with Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh in Mumbai, and during this trip, he also visited Rahman’s KM College of Music & Technology, singing Perfect with the students.
The Chennai concert, part of Sheeran’s Mathematics tour, was a night of surprises and cultural fusion. As he continues his India tour, fans in other cities are eagerly awaiting what he has in store next.
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.