A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry: I read this book before visiting India for the first time, and it gave me insights into parts of my culture that I would never have been able to achieve on my own. This novel is as rich as it is heart-breaking and I highly recommend it. I return to this book at least once a year.
An Equal Music and A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth: Vikram Seth is one of my favourite authors, and these two books have a permanent spot on my bookshelf. Seth writes in such a detai-led, careful manner – his words paint beautiful images that transport you to a different time and place. Each character is distinct and rich; by the end of the book you find yourself missing them as tremendously as you would a dear friend.
The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos: This novel is about two Cuban brothers who come to New York in the 50’s to pursue their dream of becoming famous Mambo musici-ans. The book follows one character from his youth to his old age and everything that happens in-between. If you are looking for a gripping, true to life story about what happens to dreams when we don’t take care of them, this one is for you.
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami: This is the first book by Murakami that I read, and it is the story that hooked me to his work. Murakami is known for his magical, mystical way of writing – one read is never enough. This book in particular stuck with me for so long, I chose two words from it to use as my writing pseudo name, ‘Maza and Dohta’.
Call Of The Wild by Jack London: When I was a kid, this was the first ‘adult’ book I ever read and was so proud of myself for finishing it. This book is a classic and a must-read for anyone who loves stories about adventure and loyalty.
Yellow Women and a Beauty of the Spirit by Leslie Marmon Silko: This is a collection of essays by Silko, which evoke the history of Native Americans. From the use of literature to the telling of stories in order to preserve history – this book is a beautifully weaved collection of truth and importance about a people who have been systematically erased from our classrooms.
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie: A classic story about the background of partition in India and Pakistan told through a mystical, fairytale-like way of writing. An incredibly educational and fulfilling read.
Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese: An incredible story about twin brothers born in Ethiopia to a British surgeon and an Indian nun. Without giving away too much, this book explores the power of healing others while trying to come to terms with one’s own heartache.
The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis: When I read books, it’s usually to escape into another world. With Lydia Davis, however, you pick up her book and read a short story when life gets too hard to handle. I read this book to deal with the real world because that’s how she writes. It’s really hard to describe what Davis’s writing does for me, but all I can say is I highly recommend anything written by her.
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri: A classic! Rich in character descriptions and the realities of painful family ties, this novel is one of the most poignant stories written by Lahiri. I read this book anytime I need a refresher on what good writing looks and feels like.
- Pavana Reddy is a Los Angeles-based writer and poet. Her first book, Rangoli, features a collection of poetry which travels through the dynamics of diaspora and colourism across both borderlines and cultures.
Her work has been featured by noteworthy luminaries such as Anoushka Shankar, who invited Pavana to write a song for her Grammy-nominated album Land of Gold. Visit www.pavana reddy.com, Instagram & Twitter: @mazadohta for more.
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.