A Kolkata based fan club dedicated to Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan has been named Fan Club Of The Year for 2019 by UK based Eastern Eye newspaper.
They beat off tough competition from over 1000 fan clubs around the world dedicated to the biggest global celebrities to scoop the first of its kind honour and received a personal thank you message from their idol Hrithik Roshan.
“Congratulations to HRFC Kolkata for being named Fan Club Of The Year and thank you for being such an important part of my journey, and my life. I am so proud of the amazing things you guys do. All the contributions you have made and are making to society. The good deeds that you are doing are absolutely incredible. You are such a huge encouragement for me in what I have to do in my life,” said Hrithik Roshan, who also sent love to his other fan clubs.
Members of the fan club were overwhelmed with the honour and some were in tears after hearing Hrithik Roshan’s video (thank you) message to them.
Apart from supporting Hrithik and his film releases with grand online celebrations, the 60 strong active members won the award for the immense charity work they do in honour of their idol, which includes annual blood donation drive, giving alms to blind children and helping the poor.
Eastern Eye entertainment editor, Asjad Nazir, who conducted the online survey and features fan interviews weekly, said they were the most deserving winners.
“They literally give blood in the name of their idol and do immense work for charity. They are also using social media platforms, where they have many thousands of followers, to build friendships globally and that is what the world needs right now. They represent all the great fan clubs and are deserving winners,” said Asjad Nazir.
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.