By: Mohnish Singh
The 67th National Film Awards were announced on Monday in New Delhi. The ceremony honoured films and artists for the year 2019, and Manoj Bajpayee received his third National Film Award in the Best Actor category for his acclaimed film Bhonsle (2020), directed by Devashish Makhija.
Bajpayee, who had even co-produced the film along with Piiyush Singh, Abhayanand Singh, Saurabh Gupta, and Sandiip Kapoor, shared the award with actor Dhanush, who won for his searing performance in Tamil period-action film Asuran (2019).
Reacting to his third win at the prestigious awards ceremony, Manoj Bajpayee said, “I am feeling great. I cannot tell you how happy I am. This is my third National Award.”
Excited Bajpayee went on to add, “So many times I felt a little sad when deserving ones did not get in the past, but getting it for Bhonsle, I am feeling ecstatic. It is a small film that needed so many producers and so many people to put their beliefs into. It has won awards at several film festivals, and now with the National Award, it has completed its journey. I really give this award to Devashish Makhija, and to all my producers. It is because of those guys’ efforts, and Devashish Makhija’s belief in it that we have come this far.”
The actor, who recently tested positive for Coronavirus, is currently quarantining at his home and is recovering well. His upcoming projects include Silence, Dial 100, and Dispatch. Silence, co-starring Prachi Desai, and Arjun Mathur, is set for its grand premiere on March 26 on ZEE5.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.