Indian politicians were united in their praise for the country's two Oscar wins on Monday as the song "Naatu Naatu" from Telugu film "RRR" and Tamil documentary "The Elephant Whisperers" created history in Los Angeles.
Speaking about the achievement by Indians, prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the country was "elated and proud".
"The popularity of 'Naatu Naatu' is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come," Modi said on Twitter.
"Congratulations to @mmkeeravaani, @boselyricist and the entire team for this prestigious honour," he said, referring to the team behind the winning song.
In another tweet, the prime minister congratulated director Kartiki Gonsalves, producer Guneet Monga and the entire team of "The Elephant Whisperers" for winning the Oscar award. "Their work wonderfully highlights the importance of sustainable development and living in harmony with nature," he said.
Union home minister Amit Shah said it was a landmark day for Indian cinema. "The song was on the lips of Indians as well as music lovers across the globe. Congratulations to Team RRR @ssrajamouli @mmkeeravaani @boselyricist @tarak9999 @AlwaysRamCharan," Shah wrote on Twitter.
In another tweet, he said, "Congratulations to @EarthSpectrum and @guneetm on their Oscar win for the short film 'The Elephant Whisperers'. The film brings to the forefront India's efforts to save elephants. The award underlines the potential of the Indian film industry and will inspire young filmmakers."
Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao said it is a matter of pride for all Telugu people that a song from a Telugu film has won the Oscar. The words used in "Naatu Naatu" reflect Telangana's culture, the taste of Telugu people and the diversity in people's lives, Rao said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi congratulated the teams behind "Naatu Naatu" and "The Elephant Whisperers", saying their achievements have made the country proud.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hailed "The Elephant Whisperers" winning the Oscar and said maybe this will force the Modi government not to press ahead with the "widely-opposed elephant-unfriendly" amendments to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
(PTI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.