THE death of Bollywood megastar Dilip Kumar last week made headlines worldwide, with tributes from heads of state and film stars. His house in Mumbai has already been designated as a national heritage site. For me, it prompted very personal memories of the 'King of Tragedy', having been in Kumar’s distant orbit for my entire life.
Our families have been friends for decades and my father first met him in the 1950s at a Mumbai film studio. He was already famous, but took time to discuss his decision not to star in Mother India with an excited, starstruck child. Years later, my father attended Dilip Kumar’s lavish, celebrity-heavy wedding to fellow actress Saira Banu, whose mother was a childhood friend of my grandmother. My father remembers him as kind and down to earth, despite the stratospheric level of fame he achieved during his lifetime.
Growing up with a picture of Dilip Kumar on our mantelpiece, my three-year-old self in his arms, I hadn’t fully appreciated the depth and breadth of his fame. As a half Indian, half Irish north Londoner I do not speak Hindi and was not immersed in Bollywood films. I’d always viewed this avuncular figure as a warm and funny presence in my extended family network. In the family photos of trips to India he always had a mischievous glint in his eye and joked in front of the camera.
By the time I was an adult I began to understand, having travelled, discovered Bollywood music and listened to my father’s tales of his own short stint working in the Indian film industry. I realised that Dilip Kumar was akin to royalty. In 2000, he came to London to open a Bollywood film festival at what was then the Millennium Dome. I visited with my family and cringed as one of my sisters asked if he had been in many films. He smiled graciously and nodded, unruffled, and then continued asking us questions in good humour. Although it was impossible to be immune to the golden aura of his presence, I remember him as eminently approachable and engaging.
Ayesha Saran with Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu. (Photo by Marleen Monster)
It was the same when I visited Dilip Kumar’s palatial ‘bungalow’ in Mumbai. A chauffeur driven Mercedes came to collect us and we entered through imposing security gates into a tranquil, family home made from marble. He greeted us all so warmly and hospitably and I instantly recognised the man who had pulled funny faces in those childhood photos.
Since learning of Dilip Kumar’s death I’ve been fascinated to read about an incredible life that started humbly and spanned almost a century. I’ve loved hearing about the lives he touched and the boundaries he transcended. Friends have told me how their parents and grandparents adored his films and a colleague said it must have been like meeting Laurence Olivier. I know his legacy will live on in his films, but also feel fortunate to have glimpsed the joy, fun and love he shared with those closest to him.
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.