Recently on Purple Day, an international day intended to increase awareness of epilepsy, well-known actress Fatima Sana Shaikh shared a video on the same. She emphasized the significance of discussing epilepsy and raising awareness in the video in order to dispel the stigma and myths associated with this neurological condition.
She also advised people to educate themselves and others about epilepsy and seizure recognition and management. The actress has contributed to fostering a better knowledge of epilepsy and inspiring more people to participate in the discussion about this crucial topic by spreading her message.
On Purple Day, @epilepsymumbai chose to create awareness by sharing a video of the epilepsy advocate and warrior Fatima Sana Shaikh addressing the topic.
"This day is usually celebrated so that we talk about epilepsy and create awareness. You can choose to talk about epilepsy any day and any time or choose to create awareness every day. But it provides us another reason to do so."
“To all the epilepsy warriors, Stay strong, Take your medicines on time, go to the doctor and the most important thing is to talk about this condition," the actress said in the video.
She highlights the importance of talking about the condition and creating awareness as it is unfair to expect people to understand a condition about which they are not aware in the first place.
Fatima has often addressed her struggles with Epilepsy on social media and later conducted several awareness campaigns regarding the same.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Fatima will be seen in Dhak Dhak, directed and co-written by Tarun Dudeja, and co-produced by Taapsee Pannu, Pranjal Khandhdiya, and Ayush Maheshwari. She has recently wrapped Sam Bahadur in which she will be seen playing the role of Indira Gandhi next to Vicky Kaushal and Sanya Malhotra.
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.