Television actor Gaurav Chopra has recently tied knot with close friend Hitisha Cheranda on February 18. The wedding was attended by only close family and friends in Delhi. In an interaction with a leading Indian daily, Gaurav said, "Well, it’s easy to remember the date that way. Gaali nahi padegi kyunki I won’t forget the day." Speaking about the mehendi ceremony, Gaurav said, "The highlight of the mehendi ceremony was my mother dancing with me. My parents are very happy and my father is suddenly looking five years younger."
Talking about why his marriage was a private affair, Gaurav said, "I have never hidden my relationships. I have gone to the world holding my beloved’s hand, but with time, I realized that it backfires. I am a private person now. The marriage was purely dedicated to my family. It was as traditional as it could get with me on a chariot in my baraat. I followed all the rituals as I was told. Main ek achhe bete ki tarah sab karta raha. Given a choice, I would have preferred a destination wedding, but it was always supposed to be a close-knit affair. It’s more of an arranged match and I fell for Hitisha’s simplicity."
He further mentioned that his mother brought him and his wife together by playing the role of a cupid. "The whole of last year went by taking care of my mother, as she was unwell. She wanted me to marry in a traditional manner and I decided to do it for her. Also, my other relatives would often wonder when I would tie the knot. They felt that I have become an actor, who gets linked to every co-actor he works with (laughs),” he said.
Talking about using the code word ‘High Court’ to refer Hitisha in Bigg Boss 10, Gaurav stated, "I didn’t try to hide it, as that means manipulating the truth. I was just keeping it private. The person I love should get her due respect and prominence of being the centre of my life. Every relationship deserves respect unless it’s a scandalous affair."
"I chose to become private about my relationship with Hitisha because of my past relationships. People still can’t stop talking about them. It’s not fair to both them and me, as we have all moved on in life. I may have been in a relationship for two years, but the break-up story continues to be written about for five years. Hitisha isn’t from the industry and it won’t be nice if she is compared to anyone, questioned, judged or speculated upon. She is a strong, beautiful and intelligent young lady, who should be judged for what she is and nothing else," Gaurav concluded.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
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.