Murtuza Iqbal
On 18th November 2017, Manushi Chhillar had made India proud by winning the Miss World crown. After 17 years, India had won the title and Manushi surely grabbed all the headlines.
Today, on the third anniversary of being crowned as Miss World, Manushi recollects her journey and how amazing it was for her to see other participants dance on Nagada Sang Shol Baje at the Miss World stage.
Manushi stated, “It was an absolute honour for me to bring back the Miss World crown to India three years back. It was a really proud and humbling moment for me to win it for my country. It is an extremely competitive event and everyone participates to win but I’m glad I made so many friends there.”
“For me, there were many highlights (from the night) but my favourite would be hearing everyone scream India on the final night! I love our tradition and culture and the Miss World platform gave me an opportunity to showcase it to the entire world. It was amazing to see the other participants too dance on my country’s song and throughout our time there, they would request me to play Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir’s Nagada Sang Dhol and try to dance on it. I love that song and wanted to perform on something that being folk, has a hint of the movies because everyone recognises with Bollywood internationally,” she added.
Manushi is all set to make her big-screen debut with YRF’s Prithviraj. In the movie, she will be seen opposite Akshay Kumar and will portray the character of Sanyogita.
She further stated, “I’ve always loved being on stage but more than what happens on stage, it’s about what happens throughout the month that we spend together and those days will always be cherished. I made friends, gave my voice to subjects I felt closely for, participated in events like fundraisers, marathon and celebrated the feeling and spirit of being one world. That month has not only deepened my belief in myself but also changed my life.”
“Three years later, I’m pursuing my passion for the performing arts and exploring acting. I’m fortunate to be a part of a big film as my debut. Miss World truly gave me the freedom to dream and explore myself as a human being and an artiste and I’m fortunate that I’m one of the lucky few who brought my country glory,” Manushi added.
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.