Seeing bhangra for the first time: In 2012, I had never seen or heard of bhangra before. I had taken a few Bollywood dance classes as a teenager and already had an interest in Indian dance styles. One day my mom was watching a television show about new fitness trends in Denmark and they shortly mentioned this Indian dance concept. On that day, I thought to myself, “I’m gonna go to India, learn Indian dance styles, come back to Denmark and make something big out of it”.
My first bhangra class in Mumbai: In 2013, I went to India for the first time to learn more about Bollywood dance. That was the time I seriously fell in love with bhangra. As soon as the music started it kind of did some magic to me. I forgot about the Bollywood dance, I actually wanted to attend and have been focusing on bhangra ever since then.
Getting recognised on the streets of Chandigarh: In 2015, I had moved to India (Chandigarh) for a year and started making my own bhangra videos. I had made a video on Neha Kakkar’s Pyaar Te Jaguar with my best friend from Indonesia. After we had uploaded the video, it simply went viral. People would stop us on the streets and in our local store, and asked if we were the Pyaar Te Jaguar girls who had just gone viral on WhatsApp and online.
Creating my company Bhangra By Christine: After moving back to Denmark in 2016, I decided to finally do something bigger in dancing, so created my company Bhangra By Christine. I changed the name on all my social media and started focusing on making more videos and teach bhangra at different festivals and events in Denmark.
My first bhangra workshop in Delhi: In 2018, I decided to organise my first bhangra workshop in Delhi. I collaborated with Bhangra Arena and together we managed to have nearly 100 students at the event. I had never expected, that so many people would actually show up.
Getting 100,000 subscribers on YouTube: In 2018, my YouTube channel passed 100,000 subscribers. When I started my YouTube channel it was one of my dreams. I did not believe it was possible, so it was a dream come true. Today, my channel has more than 300,000 subscribers.
Travelling: Every time I travel abroad to teach bhangra, it is a great dance moment for me. I feel so blessed that so many people know me for my work and that even people with a Punjabi background want to learn from me. Thinking about it makes me laugh sometimes, but it makes me truly happy. Being able to travel and dance at the same time was one of my childhood dreams.
Getting Punjabi music industry support: It’s a big moment whenever a well-known Punjabi singer compliments my work or shares my videos. That recognition means a lot to me.
Performing for my family: One of the funnier dance moments was in my childhood. I always loved to dance. During holidays, I would tell my entire family to leave the living room and create a small stage, and put numbers on every sofa and chair. Later, I would tell my family to buy tickets for £2 and come for my dance show. I didn’t take no for an answer. When they had all found their seats, I forced them to watch me dance for at least 30 minutes.
My first interview: In 2016, SBS Punjabi from Australia called me, because they wanted to interview me. I think that was my first interview ever and it has kind of changed a lot. Knowing that journalists from faraway places wanted to write about me feels like a true blessing.
Christine Meier is a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Visit Bhangra By Christine, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube: @bhangrabychristine
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.