Geeta Basra has been a part of films like Dil Diya Hai, The Train and others. The actress tied the knot with cricketer Harbhajan Singh in 2015, and in 2016, they welcomed their first child, Hinaya. In July this year, the couple was blessed with a baby boy and they named him Jovan.
Eastern Eye recently interacted with Basra and when we asked her about her Diwali plans, the actress said, “I am looking forward to celebrating the festival. We are in Punjab and it's going to be a beautiful celebration with my family. We have shifted into our new house, so it’s going to be a triple celebration because it will be with Hinaya, Juvan and shifting into the new house. The weather here is amazing; it’s nice, cool and pleasant. The decorations have already started. So, yes we are looking forward to it; Jovan’s first Diwali.”
When asked about her childhood memories of the festival, Basra said, “In London, we celebrate Diwali, but it’s not as flamboyant as here (India). There you do all that when it’s Christmas. But, we did our traditional aarti, the cleaning of the house and getting mithai (sweets). I remember as kids we used to get very excited when Diwali was coming because we would get the best outfits. As kids, these are the things you look forward to because growing up in the UK, for us the main function used to be Diwali. I and my sister would really get excited as we got a chance to wear the Indian outfits.”
Further revealing her favourite Diwali memory, the actress told us, “I remember one Diwali which is probably one of my favourite Diwalis. It was Hinaya’s first Diwali in Punjab, and she was one and a half years old. We had full dhamaka; we had dhol music and she was so happy. Even though she was just one and half years old, she was dancing, and that was my favourite Diwali ever because she was dancing and being so happy. We had this huge rangoli made and she was very excited seeing all the lights.”
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.