By: Mohnish Singh
Nidhhi Agerwal tried everything within her means to help people in need during the first outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in India in 2020. But this time around, the actress wanted to pull out all the stops to lend her helping hand to as many affected people as possible.
Apart from amplifying calls for beds on her social media accounts, Agerwal is setting up a website where people in dire need of help can register their requests and her team will reach out to them as soon as possible.
“The second wave is more serious than the first wave, and it hit me only when so many of my close family members tested positive in the last couple of months. I was the only one in my family who didn’t contract the virus, and it was very hard for me, especially since I couldn’t be in the same room as them and care for them. The difficult part was when I was coordinating for beds, oxygen, and medicines. There were so many posts on social media, but to call and check in trying times like that was very difficult. That’s when it struck me how the situation would be for others, who are struggling to even meet their basic needs,” she says.
She goes on to add, “There’s no point of me being famous and having a voice if I can’t use that voice to help others. I feel it’s my responsibility, as an actress and as an individual, to do whatever I can in a crisis like this. So, I decided to come up with a website, Distribute Love, where people can register their needs, and our team will reach out to them immediately.”
Apart from having two teams in Chennai and Hyderabad each, the actress has also tied up with a few charitable organisations for the same. “I chose Chennai and Hyderabad because I do a lot of work in Tamil and Telugu films and I know quite a lot of people here. These teams comprise young social workers and digital guys who have connections across the country. Plus, these organisations have been lending a helping hand for years and are very good at what they do. This way, it becomes easier for us to extend help to people across the country,” she adds.
On the work front, Nidhhi Agerwal has three projects in the pipeline. These include Hari Hara Veera Mallu in Telugu and two untitled films in Tamil and Telugu each.
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.