Former tennis player Maria Sharapova is now a mom.
Sharapova and her fiance Alexander Gilkes have been blessed with a son.
On Thursday, Sharapova took to Instagram to share the good news with her fans and followers. She dropped a picture of the newborn along with her fiance.
"The most beautiful, challenging, and rewarding gift our little family could ask for," she captioned the post.
The baby, named Theodore, is the first child of the Russian-British couple, who got engaged in 2020 after dating for two years.
"Theodore," she wrote, adding Roman numerals to write out the date '1 July 2022,' indicating the day on which Theodore was born.
As soon as Sharapova shared the news, fans chimed into the comment section to wish the couple.
"Congratulations MaSha," a social media user commented.
"Beautiful family!!! Congrats," another one wrote.
The Russian tennis champion announced she was expecting her first child in April while celebrating her 35th birthday.
"Precious beginnings!!! Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty," Sharapova wrote on Instagram at the time.
For those unaware, Alexander, who was educated at Eton College and the University of Bristol, is the co-founder of venture studio Squared Circles.
He was earlier married to Meghan Markle's friend Misha Nonoo in May 2012, but split in 2016, as per Page Six.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of films and celebrities.
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.