On the occasion of actor John Abraham’s birthday, here is a moment worth recalling when Shah Rukh Khan called his Pathaan co-star a ‘gentle giant’. Now this would surely spark the curiosity of any lovers of King Khan and, of course, John Abraham.
King Khan is seeing praising John in a clip posted on Yash Raj Film’s YouTube account.
John shared the screen with the charismatic Khan in Siddharath Anand’s action thriller film, Pathaan, which came out in 2023. John, who celebrates his birthday today (December 17), plays the ole of the antagonist against Khan’s character. There are scenes where John’s character locks hands with that of Khan’s. However, during the fight scenes, SRK says John was a bit hesitant to pack a punch at him, probably out of respect and love for the senior. “John was very shy and didn’t want to punch me,” says Khan in the video clip. It is following this that he calls him a ‘gentle giant’ who helped him look nice in the hit movie. The megastar also spoke of how it was nice working alongside John.
Elaborating on it, the actor is seen recalling another heartwarming moment about John. While they were shooting the action sequences in Pathaan, John called Khan a ‘national treasure’ and told him that he would not hurt him. “ I had to do a lot of convincing to ask him to hit me, and that I wouldn’t be hurt,” SRK says. Calling the Jism debutant proficient in action, the King of Romance added that, “He really helped me look nice, you know, in body language.”
As you go further on in the view, Khan is seen praising John as being kind and admitting that there is a lot to learn from him. Khan also stated that he was very keen to work with John.
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.