Pooja Hegde has proved her prowess with each and every film that she has been part of, irrespective of their performance at the box-office. The former beauty queen has established herself as one of the most sought-after actresses in Tollywood.
She is also making great strides in Bollywood. Her last Hindi film, Housefull 4 (2019), did terrific business at the box-office and emerged as one of the highest-grossing movies of the year. After the success of Housefull 4, the actress has been offered several Hindi movies.
In Bollywood, she next stars alongside superstar Salman Khan in the much-awaited film Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali. She will be seen on screen with Khan for the first time in her career and the actress says that she is very nervous.
In a recent interview with a tabloid, Pooja Hegde said, “One has to up their game when working with Salman. He has been working for years, so I am nervous. Working with stars may be intimidating, but it is a learning experience for an actor. The script is cool and funny.”
Hegde’s presence in the movie was announced in February, though work on the film had commenced in August. Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali reunites her with producer Sajid Nadiadwala right after Housefull 4. Nadiadwala is producing the big-ticket film under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.
Apart from Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali, Pooja Hegde will also be seen in two upcoming Telugu films – Most Eligible Bachelor and Jaan. While Most Eligible Bachelor features her alongside newcomer Akhil Akkineni, she romances Baahubali star Prabhas in the much-awaited action entertainer Jaan. Helmed by Radhakrishna Kumar, Jaan is a multilingual film to be released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
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.