By: Mohnish Singh
Living life under the constant glare of media and paparazzi is not easy for celebrities. But not many would complain as they know how things have changed ever since social media became an integral part of our lives.
Actress Huma Qureshi, however, is not in favour of this culture as she feels it affects one’s mental health. “I came here to be an actor, not get photographed outside the airport,” says the actress, confessing that seeing pictures of herself in the papers every day was not doing any good for her mental health.
“Sometimes, as women, we are very harsh on ourselves. The media can be harsh, but I feel more than the media, we can be very harsh on ourselves. For me, a very important realisation (last year) was to just be kinder to yourself and not indulge in negative self-talk,” she adds.
The actress says that 2020 gave her time to reboot. “It was a reboot in many ways — mentally, physically, in every which way. Now, I almost feel like I am starting afresh, and don’t want to make the mistakes that I made before. I feel we can approach 2021 with more gratitude, hard work, and just being kinder and nicer to each other,” she states.
Before signing off, she adds, “I realised that seeing my picture every day in the paper, outside the airport, gym or outside here or there is not good for my own mental health. Somebody will take a bad picture in a bad angle and then move on, but I will just keep looking at myself.”
On the work front, Huma Qureshi will next be seen in Akshay Kumar’s Bell Bottom. The film also features Lara Dutta and Vaani Kapoor in important roles. The actress is also waiting for the premiere of her streaming show Maharani, directed by Subhash Kapoor. The series is set to premiere on SonyLIV.
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.