As part of the UK-India Year of Culture 2017, British Council here has launched an interactive digital platform that invites young audiences to discover the sights and sounds of Delhi and create their own music mix.
Mix the City Delhi has been created as a collaboration between Indian and UK artistes, where 12 city-based musicians will showcase the diversity of sound, music and cultural influences of the capital city.
"This world-class digital and cultural innovation means that a global audience will be able to see, hear and share the amazing Delhi music scene and the beauty of the city," Alan Gemmell OBE, British Council Director India, said.
Curated by British music producer Boxed In, the platform will host musicians like BLOT!, Shubhendra Rao, Aditya Balani, Curtain Blue, Shishanath and seven others.
Conceived during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit in 2015, the UK-India Year of Culture aims to celebrate the strong cultural ties between the two countries through events, partnerships and collaborations.
"The primary objective of the UK-India 2017 Year of Culture is to further strengthen our ties and deepen our understanding of the past as well as help us appreciate the contemporary faces of both the UK and India," Alan said.
The British Film Institute will also restore "Shiraz", a 1928 silent film, as part of the programme. The film will then be screened at festivals and cinemas across the country.
Later this year, contemporary dance group Company Wayne McGregor will take its production titled Far, which is known for its use of 3,200 LED lights that "dance to their own choreography, to cities across India.
The oldest surviving footage of India from 1899 and a collection of 300 digitised films, originally shot during early 20th century, will also be made available to public in August this year as an initiative by British Film Institutes National Archive.
An exhibition India and the World: A History in Nine Stories by the British Museum is also at display at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalya (CSMVS) in Mumbai in collaboration with National Museum in New Delhi.
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.