Bollywood superstar Sridevi Kapoor was honoured for her final role at the IIFA Awards in Bangkok, winning best actress at the celebration of dance, music and film just months after her shock death.
Sridevi was considered one of the most influential Bollywood actresses of all time. Her death from accidental drowning in a Dubai hotel room bathtub aged 54 in February left the nation in stunned grief.
"I have mixed emotions today. I miss her every minute and second of my life," her widower Boney Kapoor said as he collected the gong on her behalf at the Indian Film Academy's (IIFA) annual awards ceremony.
"I still feel she is around... I want you all to support Janhvi like you supported her mother," the Bollywood producer said in an emotional speech quoted by Indian media, referring to the eldest of Sridevi's two daughters who is set to make her Bollywood debut.
With an audience of more than 850 million, the IIFA Awards -- dubbed Bollywood's Oscars by some in the industry -- is India's biggest media event.
It is also one of the world's most-watched annual entertainment shows, held outside India to demonstrate Bollywood's global appeal.
Sridevi "was the queen of grace and worthy of every praise", read a message from the IIFA's Twitter account.
The ceremony saw India's biggest stars descend on the Thai capital late Sunday for a riotous evening filled with glamour and stunning dance routines.
But it was given an additional tinge of sadness as best actor went to Irrfan Khan, known internationally for his roles in blockbusters Life of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire, in his absence.
Earlier this year the Indian actor, who was also in the 2016 film Inferno alongside Tom Hanks and is one of Bollywood's most globally recognised exports, revealed he has a rare tumour and is being treated in London.
- Outstanding Achievement Award -
Khan bagged the award for his role in Hindi Medium, a film highly critical of India's class divide in which he plays a father trying to get his daughter into a prestigious school.
The subject of Sridevi's last film Mom also touched a sensitive topic in India -- that of rape, with the actress portraying a mother seeking to avenge a sex attack on her stepdaughter.
The event saw veteran actor Anupam Kher honoured with the IIFA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema. The Indian star is known abroad for his roles in Bend It Like Beckham and Silver Linings Playbook.
Best picture went to Tumhari Sulu which stars Vidya Balan as a housewife who becomes a DJ offering relationship advice on a late-night radio show. Saket Chaudhary scooped best director for "Hindi Medium".
The ceremony saw veteran actress Rekha, 63, roll back the years as she belted out vintage hits in a rare public performance, as well as routines from the likes of Ranbir Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.
Organisers opted for a green carpet instead of red to raise awareness of environmental issues and it was graced by stars like Varun Dhawan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Arjun Kapoor.
However the National Film Awards, established in 1954, are still considered India's most prestigious film awards ceremony.
IIFA will be broadcast worldwide on television on July 29.
"The fact that we are 1.2 billion people in India helps" boost the audience, said Sabbas Joseph, the event's organiser, adding that viewing figures are also strong in the Middle East and in countries with large Indian communities.
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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.