The much-loved baking show, The Great British Bake Off, is returning for its 12th series on Channel 4 on 21 September. Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas once again take on the role of co-hosts with Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood onboard to judge this year’s bakers. But who are this year’s bakers who are going to enter the elusive Great British Bake Off tent in a bid to be crowned the next Star Baker and win the show too?
The brand-new batch of bakers who are going to show off their culinary skills on the show includes a police detective, a psychology student, a retired nurse and midwife, and a software developer. The line-up also has two Asian contestants who will be trying their best to win the culinary contest. Let’s know more about the Asian contestants – Crystelle (26) and Chirag (40) - who will be making their way to the Bake Off tent this year along with ten other contestants.
Born in northwest London to Kenyan-born, Portuguese-Goan parents, quadrilingual Crystelle is a baker who started baking seriously three years ago. The 26-year-old client relationship manager is also an enthusiastic singer. She likes experimenting with flavours and textures inspired by her Portuguese-Goan-Kenyan heritage.
As far as Chirag aka Chigs is concerned, he is quite new to the baking world as he only started baking during the lockdown in 2020. Thanks to online videos and tutorials, producing complex bakes and intricate chocolate work is a cake-walk for him. The 40-year-old is a sales manager from Leicestershire.
Last year, the pandemic threw a wrench into the works leading to a delay in filming in April 2020 but the judges, hosts, contestants, and their families came together in the summer to form a filming bubble at the Down Hall Hotel Spa and Estate. Channel 4 have returned to the same location for the 2021 edition of the show. The last season of The Great British Bake Off was won by Peter Sawkins, the youngest-ever champion of the contest.
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.