Bollywood stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan welcomed their second child, a son, in February. For several months, the power couple kept the name of their second-born under wraps. But just before the launch of Kareena Kapoor Khan's book on pregnancy, it emerged that the couple had named their second son Jehangir, the imperial name of the 17th-century Mughal emperor, who executed Sikh guru Arjan Dev in 1606 for opposing his rule. This did not go down well with trolls who took to Twitter and brutally trolled the celebrity couple over the name of their son.
A similar controversy had erupted when the two welcomed their first-born Taimur in 2016. Trolls had claimed that the child was named after a 14th-century Turkic conqueror who violently attacked Delhi in 1398.
“After Taimur, the guy who killed 5% of the human population on earth, Jehangir, the Mughal who was an opium addict and debauch tyrant makes a good follow-up. Going for Aurangzeb would have made even more sense,” read a tweet.
In a recent interview with an Indian, Khan revealed that how the controversy has affected her. “Bollywood celebrities, in every situation, are a soft target. I am a very positive person. I am very happy and content and I want to spread positivity. In a time like Covid, I can’t think of trolls, I can’t think of any form of negativity. There is no place for negativity in our lives because look at what the pandemic has taught us. It’s bringing us closer. It has brought the world closer. We have to stand for each other. That’s the way I think, all of us think and I think all of us should think.”
The actress added that amidst the ongoing pandemic, the most important thing to fuss over cannot be what her son is named or what he is doing.
About dealing with trolls, she said, “I have to start meditating now that I am pushed against the wall. We are talking about two innocent children here. But we are going to stay happy and positive.”
On the work front, Kareena Kapoor Khan next will be seen in Laal Singh Chaddha alongside Aamir Khan. The film is scheduled to release on Christmas 2021.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.