Priyanka Chopra Jonas will be celebrated at this year’s Gold House Gala in Los Angeles, where she’s set to receive the newly introduced Global Vanguard Award. The event, which takes place on 10 May, recognises leading voices from the Asian Pacific community who have pushed boundaries in entertainment, business, and beyond.
This special honour is a milestone for Priyanka, who has spent the last 25 years working across Indian and American cinema. From her early days in Bollywood to leading roles in Hollywood and producing stories from underrepresented communities, she’s one of the few Indian actors to navigate and succeed in both industries. Her recognition as part of Time’s 100 most influential people and Forbes’ “Most Powerful Women” lists also speaks to her global influence.
Celebrating 25 years in global entertainment, Priyanka Chopra continues to shine on the world stageGetty Images
The Gold Gala, now in its fourth year, celebrates the annual A100 List, a selection of 100 game-changing Asian Pacific leaders. Over 600 guests from various fields are expected to attend. Among the other honourees this year are filmmaker Jon M. Chu, rapper Megan Thee Stallion, fashion designer Prabal Gurung, author Min Jin Lee, and director Ang Lee. Pokémon CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara will also be in attendance, joined by Pikachu. Auli’i Cravalho and the team behind Moana 2 will receive a special recognition for Pacific Islander representation.
This year’s theme, First Light, is about the people who’ve paved the way for others to shine. Along with the awards, the evening will feature a live performance by Icelandic-Chinese musician Laufey and a Filipino-inspired dinner menu curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Lord Maynard Llera.
The Gold House Gala will honour Priyanka Chopra’s trailblazing journey across Indian and American cinemaGetty Images
Chopra’s current slate of projects includes the second season of Amazon Prime’s Citadel, the action film Heads of State with John Cena and Idris Elba, and The Bluff. She is also reportedly returning to Indian cinema with a major project directed by SS Rajamouli, starring Mahesh Babu.
With this award, Gold House acknowledges not just Priyanka’s achievements but the cultural shift her career has helped influence, one where stories no longer fit into neat categories, and where glass ceilings are broken, like she once said.
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.