Recently, Warner Bros released the first photo of Ryan Gosling from Greta Gerwig’s upcoming directorial venture Barbie, and, as was expected, it immediately sent the internet into a total tizzy.
While the majority of fans liked the look, some Twitter reactions have been negative, accusing the actor of being too old for the role, not the right look for Ken, or being too different from the doll users have in their heads.
However, Eva Mendes seems to be in love with her partner Ken doll transformation. She defended the 41-year-old actor’s debated look, which sees him rocking bleach-blonde hair and a tanned bare chest, dressed in 80s-esque double denim with Ken-branded underwear, during Tuesday’s episode of The Talk.
“People do know he is not playing a real person, right? He is playing a fake person,” she said.
“Well, first of all, I saw the photo, and the 14-year-old in me was like, “Ahhh.” But you know, it's a funny photo and he's trying to be funny. So it worked on all levels,” she added.
She also shared how she was surprised by her partner’s transformation into the beloved Mattel doll that she asked if she could keep a piece of his costume.
“When I saw it, he sent it to me from work and I said, "Can I please have that underwear? Please. I never ask for anything."'
In addition to Ryan Gosling, the forthcoming film also features Margot Robbie, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, and Issa Rae in significant roles. It is set to enter theatres on July 21, 2023.
Not much is known about the plot, but apparently, the film will feature multiple Barbies and Kens. The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu vaguely opened up about the film during a previous interview, saying it’s “wild,” “incredibly unique," and "I wish I could just show you what we do day to day because it’s crazy.” He also said that he heard about the movie from a junior agent while on a call with his team: “He literally said this verbatim. He was like, ‘If I could stake my career on any one script, it’s the Barbie script. I really think you should do it.’”
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.