Ranbir Kapoor, who recently welcomed his first child with Alia Bhatt, made millions of heads turn with his magnetic appearance at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he also received the Variety International Vanguard Actor Award.
During an interactive session at the festival, Kapoor was asked if he would be open to the idea of working in a Pakistani film.
“Now we have a platform like Saudi Arabia where we can jointly do films, I would love to sign you for a film. Would you be willing to work with the Pakistani team along with your team in Saudi Arabia?” a Pakistani filmmaker asked the star.
Responding to the same, the Besharam (2013) actor said, “Of course, sir. I think there are no boundaries for artists, especially for arts.”
The actor even congratulated the Pakistan film industry for the worldwide success of Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan’s recently released film The Legend Of Maula Jatt (2022).
“It is one of the biggest hits we have seen in the last few years. Of course, I would love to,” he added.
As expected, his statement did not go down well with a number of his Indian fans and they took to Twitter to bash the actor.
One user wrote, “How shallow their patriotism is …for money… kuch bhi”.
Another wrote, “That’s like Mahesh Bhat's true son-in-law.”
“He should leave Indian citizenship and permanently settle in Pakistan. We will support this great move of Ranbir Kapoor,” wrote a third one.
A fourth user wrote, “Both Alia & Ranbir Kapoor should shift to Pakistan. They can comfortably eat beef there and work in Pakistani films.”
On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor has a few high-profile films in the works. He will next be seen in filmmaker Luv Ranjan’s yet-untitled film. Scheduled to hit screens on Holi 2023, the upcoming film also stars Shraddha Kapoor in the lead role. He also has Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal slated to release in 2023. The film also features Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol in lead roles.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the glitzy world of entertainment.
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.