Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum has been in love with Indian culture and cuisine for years now. His tryst with the country of multiculturism began with filmmaker Wes Anderson’s dramedy The Darjeeling Limited (2007), which was primarily shot in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Before The Darjeeling Limited, he felt a little exposed to Indian culture through the film, The River.
In an interview, Goldblum confesses that his love for India was further strengthened by his inclination towards Indian spirituality. “I have been a little exposed to Indian culture through the film, The River, and then because of Wes Anderson, who went to India and made a film,” Goldblum says and, on the video call, goes on to show paintings of Indian spiritual gurus Yogananda and Muktananda at his house.
The 69-year-old continues, “I have been a kind of a devotee and been exposed to Indian spiritual thought. The painting of Yogananda on the wall has been done by my sister, who is also very into the culture. So, I have read about it a lot, and have been very interested in it.”
Talking about his love for yoga, he said, “I am not a yogi. I am a student of yoga from what I understand it to be and do meditation. I have been exposed to much in that realm. My studentship has only led me to more humility. I have realised how little I know and how much I have got to go to keep training myself and in how to live life correctly and in an optimal way.”
It’s not just the Indian culture and spiritualism that has stolen Goldblum’s heart, he is fond of Indian food as well. “I can tell you honestly that I am crazy about Indian food. I love it to pieces. I eat too much of it when I have it because it is the most delicious food I think on Earth,” he says.
Jeff Goldblum is presently busy promoting the much-anticipated Hollywood biggie Jurassic World Dominion, set to arrive in cinemas on June 10, 2022.
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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.