By: Mohnish Singh
Be it the common man or high-profile people in the public eye, everyone has gone through the trauma caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. The virus which started spreading across the world earlier this year is still claiming thousands of lives every day.
Everyone is going to remember 2020 in their own ways, but actress Hina Khan is going to remember it as a “fearful” year. “For the world, this year was a nightmare. Not just because we faced the pandemic and a lot of people died but many faced financial crisis, there was a rise in domestic violence and people went through anxiety and stress. It was a disastrous year for everyone across the globe,” says the popular actress.
Khan thanks her stars for having continuous work amid the pandemic. While her film Hacked and web-show Damaged 2 had their premieres before Indian went into complete lockdown in March, she also starred in Colors’ supernatural revenge drama, Naagin followed by a short stint on the controversial reality show Bigg Boss 14.
“When I look back, personally, I lived in a lot of fear that puts me off that I lost a year of my life. I could not really do anything. I lived this year in fear of Covid-19 and we are still dealing with it. The virus is still here. That is the kind of mark 2020 has left with me. I will recall this year as fearful,” she adds.
The actress recently went on a trip with her parents. Talking about the same, she says, “It is not impossible to travel but only if you are isolated or away from crowds. If you choose to go to a city and roam around, then you are exposing yourself to the virus. It is so sad that a deadly virus had to exist to push us and make us pause our lives to spend more time with our families. I will continue to spend more time with them, though I do nevertheless.”
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.