Starring Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan in lead roles, Yash Raj Films’ Pathaan has been hitting headlines ever since the news emerged that Khan would end his four-year-long break from films with this Siddharth Anand directorial.
However, the release of the film’s first song “Besharam Rang” made it even hotter as several Indian political leaders from the ruling party took umbrage at the saffron-coloured bikini Deepika Padukone is seen wearing in the song. Some even protested against the lyrics of the song.
But days before the controversy over Padukone’s bikini started, several netizens had pointed out how the background music of the song was plagiarized from ‘Makeba’ by Jain. Now, Pakistan singer Sajjad Ali has shared a cryptic video on Instagram suggesting that the tune of the song is copied from a song that he released almost 26 years ago.
“After listening to a new movie’s song, it reminded me of my song I released 26 years ago, Ab Ke Hum Bichare. Enjoy!” he captioned the video.
Soon after his video surfaced on the internet, netizens from Pakistan did not waste much time in figuring out how similar Ali’s song sounds to “Besharam Rang.”
Reacting to the same, a user wrote, “This sounds like “Besharam Rang” from Pathaan,” while another said, “Besharam song based on Sajjad Ali music composition. Indians always pirate our music composition and they did not even give credit to our Pakistani singers.”
“Almost every Bollywood movie song is copied like the tune and they also have copied Japanese songs and also old/new Pakistani songs,” a third user wrote.
Aside from Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, Pathaan also stars John Abraham in a pivotal role. The film, directed by Siddharth Anand, is scheduled to hit theatres on January 25, 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.