Behind the scenes, many Bollywood celebrities have had their fair share of controversies and confrontations, some of which have unfolded in the most public and dramatic ways. The latest example is the award-winning actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranautwho was slapped by a CISF female jawan at the Chandigarh airport on June 6. Here’s a look at some slapgate controversies involving Ranaut, Karan Singh Grover, Gauahar Khan, Aditya Narayan, and Salman Khan.
Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut, often hailed as the "Queen" of Bollywood for her stellar performances and fearless personality, is no stranger to controversy. Her outspoken nature has made her a polarizing figure in the industry. In one shocking incident, Kangana reportedly faced a public slap from a female airport security official at the Chandigarh airport. The security official was later suspended and arrested.
Karan Singh Grover
Karan Singh Grover, known for his roles in popular Indian TV shows and films, also found himself in a startling situation. During the filming of a television series, Karan was allegedly slapped by his then-co-star Jennifer Winget, who was also his wife at the time. The incident, which took place on set, was reportedly due to personal differences.
Gauahar Khan
Gauahar Khan, a successful model and actress, faced a shocking and highly publicized incident in 2014. During the filming of the reality show India's Raw Star, Gauahar was slapped by a member of the audience. The assailant, Akil Malik, claimed that he attacked Gauahar because of her attire, which he deemed inappropriate.
Aditya Narayan
Aditya Narayan, a well-known singer, and television host, found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons when he was involved in a public altercation. He was slapped by a girl at a pub in a five-star hotel in 2011. According to reports, he was intoxicated and allegedly made a snide comment to the girl and kept falling over her.
Salman Khan
Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars, has had his fair share of public controversies. Known for his larger-than-life persona and sometimes volatile temper, Salman has been involved in numerous public altercations. But this incident was different: he was allegedly slapped by the inebriated daughter of a Delhi businessman who gatecrashed his private party. She even abused actress Sushmita Sen and Khan's youngest brother Sohail Khan. It is said that the superstar did not lose his calm and asked his bodyguards to take her away.
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.