Never Have I Ever breakout star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, along with Simu Liu and Sandra Oh, will be honoured at the 19th Annual Unforgettable Gala. Unforgettable is the biggest awards show in the U.S. recognizing Asian Pacific Islander talent and tastemakers who represent the community through their work and causes.
While the event was held virtually last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s gala will be held on December 11 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Actress Sherry Cola is onboard to emcee the event.
Ramakrishnan will be honoured with the Breakout in TV award for her breakthrough role as Devi Vishwakumar on Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher's Netflix comedy, Never Have I Ever. After the great success of the first two seasons, the series has been renewed for a Season 3.
Liu, who won millions of hearts with his powerful performance in Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will receive the Breakout in Film Award, which recognizes a rising talent who has impacted audiences worldwide.
Oh will be recognized with the Actor in TV award for her work on Netflix's The Chair and BBC America's Killing Eve. Justin Chon will be recognized with the Actor in Film award for the indie Blue Bayou.
Shang-Chi will be honoured with the Vanguard Award, which celebrates a seminal work of film or TV that reshapes the entertainment landscape. Liu's Shang-Chi director, Destin Daniel Cretton, will receive the Director award.
“Asian American leaders have fought for API presence in the arts, entertainment and culture, and the Unforgettable Awards place a special emphasis on these remarkable individuals,” said James Ryu, publisher at Character Media and founder of the Unforgettable Gala, in a statement. “Their efforts and dedication have significantly impacted the API community and beyond. On this night, we will come together to honour them in anticipation of a future of authentic representation and acceptance for all.”
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.