Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal recently received a gift that left him stunned: a football jersey signed personally by Lionel Messi. The veteran actor shared his joy online, posting a video of Messi signing the Argentina jersey with “Lalettan” written on it, a name fans lovingly call Mohanlal.
What made the moment more special was the fact that Messi didn’t just sign it, he addressed it directly to Mohanlal, writing his name in his own handwriting. The gesture struck a chord with the actor, who called it one of the most memorable surprises of his life.
In his post, Mohanlal spoke about how deeply the gift moved him. He said the experience felt “too meaningful to explain” and thanked Messi for what he called a “precious gesture.” Mohanlal also expressed gratitude to his friends who helped make the moment possible.
The jersey arrived as a complete surprise, and Mohanlal’s reaction captured on camera showed honest emotions as he held it up with pride. For a long-time admirer of Messi, the gift was more than just fan memorabilia. It was a moment of personal connection with someone he deeply respects.
Fans were quick to respond, calling it a “GOAT to GOAT” moment and a nod to both men being the greatest in their respective fields. Social media was flooded with praise for the heart-warming crossover of cinema and sport.
Mohanlal in a powerful still from LuciferInstagram/Lucifer
On the work front, Mohanlal is keeping busy. He was last seen in L2: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran. The thriller hit cinemas on 27 March. He’s also working on Hridayapoorvam, a Sathyan Anthikad film featuring Malavika Mohanan. Additionally, he’s filming a political thriller with Mahesh Narayanan, currently nicknamed MMMN, with a star-studded cast including Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil and Nayanthara.
Mohanlal has confirmed that Drishyam 3 is in the pipeline too, the third instalment in the popular suspense drama series. The Drishyam franchise, which began in 2013, gained national fame and was remade in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
But for now, even amidst a packed career, this gesture from Messi will remain one of Mohanlal’s most cherished memories.
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.