Malayalam superstar Mohanlalturned 64 on Tuesday, with fans and movie colleagues flooding social media with heartfelt greetings for their favorite actor.
Diehard fans shared pictures of the Drishyam actor on their social media accounts, adding touching captions to wish their beloved "Lalettan".
Superstar Mammootty is one of his industry colleagues who first extended birthday greetings to Mohanlal.
"Happy Birthday, Dear Lal," Mammootty said in a Facebook post. He also shared a photo of him giving a kiss to Lal on his cheek during a function.
"Lead man for forty years among a very critical and discerning audience. 400 films? Some might exclaim in disbelief. I, on the contrary, am looking forward to him beating Mr. Prem Nazir's record of 500 films. On his birthday, that is my best wish to him. The best of health to you, Mr.@Mohanlal, to break many more records," Kamal Hassan posted on his X handle.
"Aadujeevitham" actor Prithviraj Sukumaran posted photos of the legendary actor on all his social media handles with the caption "Happy Birthday Laletta".
Sukumaran, who is currently working with Mohanlal on his directorial venture L2: Empuraan, also shared a picture of him from the upcoming movie.
"To the legend who has been a reason for loving the world of cinema. Happy birthday Laletta," actor Kunchacko Boban said in a FB post.
Actors Manju Warrier, Shobhana, Asif Ali, and Tovino Thomas were among the numerous film personalities who extended birthday greetings to Mohanlal.
Born on May 21, 1960, Mohanlal had an illustrious movie career spanning over four decades with more than 400 films in various languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada, besides Malayalam.
A recipient of five national awards and a handful of state awards, Mohanlal has also been conferred with the Padma Bhushan by the Union government in 2019.
According to film sources, the actor would have a low-key birthday celebration with his family members.
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.