British pop icon Ed Sheeran, in the midst of his six-city India tour, made a special stop at AR Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory in Chennai ahead of his concert on February 5. The two musical powerhouses came together for an impromptu jam session, with Sheeran performing his chart-topping hit Perfect alongside Rahman’s choir, leaving fans buzzing with excitement.
Rahman shared snapshots of their meeting on Instagram, including a cosy photo of himself, Sheeran, and his son AR Ameen lounging on a couch. Another image captured Rahman at his music console while Sheeran snapped a picture of the legendary composer. Rahman’s caption, cheekily crediting Sheeran for the “beautiful photos,” set social media ablaze with fans hoping for a future collaboration.
Sheeran’s India tour, part of his global Mathematics Tour, began in Pune on January 30, where he won hearts by sporting a custom ‘Pune’ t-shirt. He spoke fondly of his love for India, calling it a “stunning country” and expressing his thrill at performing in new cities this time around.
The tour, organised by AEG Presents Asia and BookMyShow Live, has featured opening acts by Indian artists like Dot (of The Archies fame) in Pune and Armaan Malik in Hyderabad. Sheeran’s journey continues with stops in Chennai, Bengaluru, Shillong, and Delhi-NCR.
Before his Chennai concert, Ed Sheeran embraced a slice of local culture with a traditional Tamil Nadu head massage, or champi. A video of the moment, shared by his fan club EDHQ, quickly went viral. In the clip, Sheeran humorously dubbed the massage “abuse,” but later shared it on his Instagram story with the caption, “This kinda slaps.” Fans flooded the comments with witty remarks, with one even joking, “Now we’ll know why you forget lyrics!”
Sheeran’s India tour is more than just a series of concerts; it’s like a whole package of music, culture, and connection. From sharing the stage with AR Rahman to diving into local traditions, the Shape of You star is creating moments and memories that resonate deeply with his Indian audience.
As the tour rolls on, fans eagerly await what surprises Sheeran has in store next. One thing’s for sure: his India tour is a celebration of music and moments that will linger long after the final note fades.
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.