Headlined by Jr. NTR and Ram Charan, the Telugu-language Indian film RRR (2022) is on a winning spree at various prestigious award ceremonies across the world. The latest historic win that the film scored came on Wednesday when it bagged the Golden Globes Awards for its super energetic song “Naatu Naatu” featuring NTR and Charan and composed by veteran composer MM Keeravaani.
While a lot of people felt extremely proud of the triumph, there was a section of naysayers who felt the song was too average to win Best Original Song at the Golden Globes. They are also trolling actor Jr NTR for his accent in the English language when he was interacting with the media at the award function.
Now, Bollywood star Pooja Bhatt has come to the defense of the film and Jr. NTR and said that some people just cannot digest others’ happiness. Giving a befitting reply to those mocking the film behind, Bhatt tweeted that it is a human tendency to bear own’s sorrow but not be able to digest others’ happiness.
Well, this is not the first time a Bollywood celebrity has been called out for their accent when speaking to the press in the West. In the past, actresses like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra have also been mocked for the change in their accents when working in Hollywood.
For those not in the know, Pooja Bhatt and her father Mukesh Bhatt have worked with MM Keeravaani on some unforgettable songs in Hindi, including “Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla” and “Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai.”
On Wednesday, she had even tweeted after Keeravaani’s win at the Golden Globes. “Privileged that five of these musical gems are from films produced by moi. Music made from the heart reaches the heart,” she tweeted.
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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.