Actor Neha Sargam, who was recently on actor Himanshu Malhotra’s talk show Share and Grow Spotlight, says that she had a great experience on the show. The actor adds that she has known Himanshu for a while now and loves the equation she shares with him.
“I loved the fact that he considered me to be part of such a great initiative. I have always been fond of Himanshu and we had always had very nice and constructive conversations whenever we have got the chance. When he asked me to come on the talk show, I was very glad. We were planning to meet each other for a very long time but we were just not getting the chance to meet. Himanshu’s talk show Share and Grow Spotlight helped us do that,” she says.
Talking about the response to the episode, she says, “It was very nice. People are actually looking forward to the interview. It looks very interesting and impressive. The conversation goes very deep.”
Neha says that she met Himanshu 7 years back and connected instantly with him. “It's been 7 years since we know each other. We connected very quickly. I think I had gone for a look test with my mother and he was also there. From there on, I think we connected. He told my mom that I was very good at my work,” she says.
Ask her what she loves about him, and she says, “The best part about him is that he is very genuine. I think there are very few people on this earth who do not look for profit or loss in everything. He is one of them. He attracts genuine people as well. I have seen his all the interviews that he has done on the show. He is such a vibrant person. I am very fond of Himanshu as a human being.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.