One of the leading Bollywood filmmakers, Karan Johar celebrated his 50th birthday on Wednesday. Since KJo and parties are synonymous with each other, how can one not expect a lavish bash on the occasion of the fashionista’s birthday?
The Dharma Productions’ head honcho threw an extravagant party for his friends from the industry, which saw the attendance of a host of celebrities, including veteran actress Neetu Kapoor. A number of pictures and videos from the birthday bash have gone viral since yesterday, and in one of the viral videos, we can see KJo and Neetu Kapoor burning the dance floor on Rishi Kapoor’s iconic song ‘Dafliwale Dafli Baja’ from the film Sargam (1979).
Neetu Kapoor shared the video on her Instagram Stories, writing in the caption, “‘Dafliwale’ with my favourite Karan Johar.”
What makes the song ‘Dafliwale’ even more special is the fact that it featured Neetu Kapoor’s late husband and iconic Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor. Interestingly, KJo recreated the song in his 2012 directorial Student of the Year with Rishi Kapoor himself. The film launched the careers of Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra, who have now graduated to become leading stars in Bollywood.
Apart from Neetu Kapoor, KJo’s birthday bash was also attended by a galaxy of stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Katrina Kaif, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Ranveer Singh, and many more.
On the work front, Neetu Kapoor is gearing up to make her acting comeback with Karan Johar’s next production venture, Jug Jugg Jeeyo. The film, directed by Raj Mehta, also features Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, and Anil Kapoor in lead roles. Jug Jugg Jeeyo is scheduled to hit cinemas on June 24, 2022.
Karan Johar, on the other hand, is busy wrapping up his next directorial venture Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, starring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, and Jaya Bachchan. The film is due on February 10, 2023.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.