In what may go down as one of the most shocking moments in the history of Academy Awards, popular Hollywood star Will Smith stormed onto the stage and punched and swore at presenter Chris Rock, who made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett.
The incident from the star-studded event went viral in absolutely no time, with some people wondering if the entire episode was scripted or genuine.
Rock had cracked a joke comparing Jada Pinkett’s tightly cropped hair to Demi Moore’s appearance in the 1997 film G.I. Jane and suggesting she appear in a sequel. He said this because Pinkett is currently rocking a bald hairstyle due to alopecia. She publicly revealed her diagnosis in 2018.
The joke did not go down well with Smith who strode up to the stage and smacked Rock across the face before walking back to his seat alongside Jada and shouting profanities.
"Keep my wife’s name out of your f*****g mouth,” Smith shouted, forcing the producers to bleep out several seconds of audio from the televised broadcast in the United States. However, other international broadcasts revealed what was said live.
In his emotional speech soon after winning Best Actor for King Richard (2021), a tearful Will Smith apologised to the Academy, saying, “I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I am not crying for winning an award. It is not about winning an award for me. It is about being able to shine a light on all of the people.”
He added, “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. Love will make you do crazy things.”
As per reports, the Los Angeles Police Department spoke with Rock soon after the incident. Rock, however, chose not to file a report with the LAPD, meaning Smith will not be charged with or arrested for assault.
Later, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released a statement regarding the incident, saying “The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight, we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”
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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.