A day after a miscreant threw an object at her during a public event in Quetta city, Pakistani star Mahira Khan on Thursday condemned the incident saying she felt scared to be caught in a "mob-like" situation.
The actress on Wednesday attended an event organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi in Quetta when someone from the audience flung an object, reportedly a bottle, at her.
The video of the incident soon went viral on social media in which Mahira could be seen politely admonishing the unknown spectator in the crowd for the act.
"This was wrong. You have now started throwing things at me," she can be seen saying in the clip circulating online.
On Thursday evening, Mahira shared a lengthy note on her official Instagram page addressing the incident.
"What happened at the event was uncalled for. No one should think it's ok to throw something on stage, even if it's a flower wrapped up in a paper plane. It sets the wrong precedent.
"It is unacceptable. There are times I get scared, not just for myself, but for others who may be trapped in a mob-like situation," she wrote, thanking fans and followers for their concern and love.
The Karachi-based actress, popular for TV dramas such as Humsafar and Sadqay Tumhare as well as films Maula Jatt and Bollywood movie Raees, said on their way back home someone said they won't organise an event ever again in Quetta.
But, she said, she "disagreed completely" as that was not the solution.
"Here was a crowd of 10,000 or more… who were showing their love and excitement - the way they know best because I could see them I could see they didn’t know how to contain/express their excitement. Whoever the miscreant was, was 1 out of 10,000.
"Maybe I should have gotten up and left, maybe the crowd could have been screened, maybe I should not have been put on the spot.. lots of could haves and should haves," she added.
Mahira also said more literary events need to be organised in more cities of Pakistan.
"The more you are exposed to, the more you are aware and educated. Normalize it. And see what happens. People, cities, our culture, our understanding of each other (which lacks), unity (which lacks even more).. it will all flourish!"
The actress expressed gratitude towards the people of Quetta who welcomed her with open arms.
"I met the most amazing people. We sat together under the beautiful Quetta sky, ate delicious food.. while we shared stories, laughed and made plans for my next visit. I come back enriched. I love you Quetta. Thank you for the insane amount of love. There shall and will be a next time.. and on every end we will be better. InshAllah."
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.