ACTOR Lisa Ray, who became the show stopper for Rahul Mishra's collection Nargis at the ongoing India Couture Week, says walking the ramp to the tunes of her old hit Afreen Afreen allowed her to embody a new version of herself.
Originally composed and sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and written by Javed Akhtar, the song made Ray a household name in 1996.
Last year, Ray had shared that she inwardly cringes when she is introduced with the song as she is not the same person she was when the musical number was shot.
But the actor, 52, seemed happy to embrace the song once again as she walked the ramp to its tune for Mishra's show.
"I filmed that video 25 years ago and I was reflecting on that. I was a very different person back then. I was a very young woman, not very confident, not very comfortable in my skin, believe it or not, and today actually gave me a new opportunity to embody a new version of myself, walking to the rhythm of Afreen Afreen and that's deeply profound," the actor said in a post show press conference.
"Someone who has a lot of life experiences under her belt now... The body may have changed but the spirit is the same," she added.
The actor said she was approached by the designer and his wife Divya Mishra for the show while she was on a retreat in Kerala.
"...I was supposed to stay an extra three days and so I cut that short and said, ‘No I have to be there' and I couldn’t think of a better place to be than right here right now. As I already mentioned, I am a great admirer of Rahul and Divya."
The actor, known for her role in films such as Kasoor and Water, also thanked models for pushing her to walk on the ramp as she felt nervous.
"It’s a great honor to walk in the show. There is also something mystical and magical that he (Rahul) manages to achieve through fabrics, craftsmanship and his entire team."
For the show, Ray wore an intricately designed sari gown with miniature floral work all over with its train featuring designs of peacock feathers. (PTI)
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.