Actress Priyanka Chopra's journey has been an inspiration for millions of people across the globe. From winning the coveted title of Miss World at the age of 18 to putting India on the global map with her acting talent like no other, Priyanka is undoubtedly one name that is synonymous with power and success.
Her journey to success has not been a bed of roses. Like others, she also dealt with several hurdles - whether it was facing racism abroad or being "cornered" in Bollywood. However, she took it all in her stride and shone even brighter.
She is now all set to headline the Russo Brothers' international series Citadel. With Citadel, Priyanka has achieved pay parity for the first time in her career of 22 years.
Speaking to ANI, Priyanka reflected on the issue of pay parity between men and women. She also discussed how the insecurity of men plays a role in pay inequality.
"I have some incredible men in my life who are not insecure of my success but I also have men in my life who are very insecure of my success... So I think that men have enjoyed the freedom and the pride of being the breadwinners or the leaders of the family..it's threatening to their territory when a woman does that or if a woman is more successful or a man is staying at home and woman is going out to work.."
Priyanka emphasised raising sons sans gender-based stereotypes.
"They (men) will feel bad but we have to teach our sons that there is no shame in crying..there is no shame in shedding tears...there is no shame in giving spotlight to your mothers, sisters, girlfriends," she said.
The global queen also recalled how her father always supported her mother and never felt insecure about her success.
"My dad did it to my mother...She was getting into private practices and he was still in the military..My mom started earning more than my father but they saw it as a unit because 'ghar pe hi toh aa raha hai'.. there was no ego," Priyanka beamed with pride.
Priyanka gave a shout-out to her husband and singer Nick Jonas as well.
"Now today when I am walking the red carpet with my husband and he steps aside and gives me centre stage I feel proud. I feel very proud that I have surrounded myself with people (my father, my husband, my friends, and my in-laws) who do not have that insecurity. We as a society need to raise those kind of men who do not feel insecure about such things...sabko successful hone do," Priyanka concluded.
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.