The Asia Pacific premiere of Priyanka Chopra’s Prime Video series Citadel turned out to be a star-studded affair. The actress, who stars alongside Richard Madden in the high-profile series, said she couldn't have asked for a better start to the international promotional campaign of the spy-thriller series.
The Prime Video show had its first premiere in Mumbai at PVR ICON, Palladium, on Tuesday night with the lead cast, including Chopra Jonas and Madden, as well as some of the biggest names from the Indian film industry -- veteran actor Rekha, Varun Dhawan, Raj & DK, Kabir Khan -- walking the blue carpet.
"I'm very excited to be starting the global campaign for Citadel in India, my home. We will be travelling across the globe after this, but I've got good luck from millions from my country and I will carry it wherever I go, like I always do," Chopra Jonas told reporters.
The actor also spilled the beans about her first meeting with co-star Madden, known for shows such as Game of Thrones and Bodyguard.
"Richard and I met for the first time at a social dinner. We got along when we met for the first time. Then we met at award functions and after parties. But when I met him for work, I knew he was a disciplined actor who likes to prepare like me. That's why we get along so well," she said.
The duo walked the blue carpet together. While Chopra Jonas opted for a turquoise green Versace dress, Madden chose a charcoal black suit. Madden said it was an honour to work with Chopra Jonas and he was happy that the show had its first premiere in India.
"It's a wonderful feeling to have the show premiere for the first time in India. I love the first time of things and it's the first premiere for 'Citadel' and my first time in India. I just wish I was here for longer," the Scottish star, who was on a three-day visit to the country, said.
The premiere was also attended by Chopra Jonas' mother Madhu Chopra, filmmakers Tanuja Chandra, Shonali Bose, Madhur Bhandarkar, Anubhav Sinha, Nikkhil Advani, Siddharth Roy Kapur, and Vasan Bala in attendance.
Citadel is produced by Amazon Studios and the Russo Brothers' AGBO. The first two episodes of the series will premiere on Prime globally on April 28 in 40 languages.
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.