Hiten Tejwani turned 44 on his birthday yesterday. In an interview with a leading Indian daily, Hiten revealed about what he plans usually on his birthday. Hiten said, "Usually, it’s a get-together with close friends and family which is what we had yesterday evening too. We wanted to go on a short trip maybe to Goa, which we do frequently, but she and the kids are busy so we might go at a later date. That way we can have a celebration again with just the four of us."
"If I am in Mumbai on my birthday, there is a party for friends on the eve, then dinner with family on the D-day, and sometimes yet another get together at lunch, which means 2-3 parties (laughs), which is a lot for me," added the actor.
Recalling his childhood birthday memories, Hiten said, "I remember as a kid, my two brothers and I had to share gifts. We couldn’t afford to have one for each of us. Today, when I buy a gift I have to buy for both my kids as I can’t give something to only one of them. But we wouldn’t ask our parents for more as we knew our financial condition. So, while my brother got a cycle, my parents got me a cricket bat as I loved playing cricket in our building. The person who had the bat would get more chances to bat. Nothing can match the feeling you get, when you finally get something after waiting for it for a long time."
Talking about his kids - son Nevaan and daughter Katya, the actor mentioned that he wants to inculcate the same values his parents had inculcated in him. The actor said, "The values my parents taught me were the best gift I ever got. Today, by the grace of God, I can give my kids anything they ask for but I want them to learn and value them. These values then pass on from generation to generation. Nothing is more valuable than what your parents teach you in life. There are many kids who are greedy or don’t appreciate things or take things for granted but it’s not their fault. It’s the parents who have to show and teach them the difference between right and wrong. One can buy other materialistic things in life but never values."
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.