After more than a decade, iconic rock band Guns N’ Roses is heading back to India. They’ll perform live at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse on May 17, 2025. This will be their first show in the country since 2012, and fans have been waiting a long time for this.
Tickets for the Mumbai concert go on sale starting March 19. There’s an early pre-sale window for select cardholders on March 17, so if you’re keen, mark those dates. Given the buzz, tickets are expected to sell fast.
The band’s core lineup which includes Axl Rose on vocals and piano, Slash on lead guitar, and Duff McKagan on bass will take the stage to perform some of their biggest hits. Expect timeless anthems like Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child o’ Mine, November Rain, and more. Fans can also look forward to tracks from across their discography, from their historic 1987 debut Appetite for Destruction to later releases like Madagascar.
This Mumbai gig is part of Guns N’ Roses’ 2025 world tour, which includes stops in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Along the way, they’ll be joined by various guest acts, including members of Public Enemy, Rival Sons, and even Sex Pistols legends at different venues. While these guests aren’t confirmed for India yet, the energy around the tour is definitely high.
Guns N’ Roses holds a legendary status in rock history. Appetite for Destruction still stands as the best-selling debut album in U.S. history, and their Not in This Lifetime tour (2016-2019) became one of the highest-grossing concert tours ever. Even now, they continue to pull in millions of listeners, almost over 24 million monthly streams on Spotify alone.
Anil Makhija from BookMyShow Live, who’s bringing them to India, called it a proud moment. “Their music brought people together and defined a generation,” he said.
For Indian rock fans, May 17 promises to be a truly unforgettable night.
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.