By: Mohnish Singh
Bollywood actors Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat have never shied away from talking about their relationship. The actors, who fell in love with each other on the sets of Anees Bazmee’s comic-caper Pagalpanti (2019), have been in a steady relationship for a year and a half now. However, marriage is not on the cards for them anytime soon.
When asked about her marriage plans with beau Pulkit, Kriti told an Indian publication, “We have just been dating for a year and a half now and have not discussed marriage nor do we plan to do it anytime soon. We are focusing on our respective careers right now. Marriage is a distant dream.”
The couple had a short vacation during the coronavirus lockdown. Talking about the same, the actress said, “The trip gave us time to know each other better. I feel special to have someone like Pulkit who makes sure I always have a smile on my face. I try my best to do the same for him.”
Kharbanda also recently turned a year older. When asked how she celebrated the special day, she shared, “He made it special with a huge surprise. I’ll have to match it, the planning for his birthday has started.”
On the work front, Kriti Kharbanda has just started shooting for her upcoming film 14 Phere, which also stars talented actor Vikrant Massey in the lead role. Directed by Devanshu Singh, the film is being produced by Jio Studios.
Pulkit Samrat, on the other hand, is waiting for the release of his next film Haathi Mere Saathi, co-starring Rana Daggubati. Simultaneously shot in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, the film has been directed by Prabhu Solomon. It is scheduled to enter theatres on 15th January 2021.
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A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.