Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she usually does not get bothered by people's opinions but she was “pissed off” when an Australian journalist questioned her qualification for announcing Oscar nominations last year.
In March last year, an Australian entertainment journalist tweeted wondering why the 39-year-old actor and her musician-husband Nick Jonas were roped in to unveil nominees for the 93rd Academy Awards.
Chopra Jonas posted a staunch reply to the journalist as she shared a video listing over 60 acting credits from her almost two-decade-long career at home in Bollywood, including Bajirao Mastani (2015), Mary Kom (2014), Fashion (2008), her international debut with the ABC series Quantico to her Hollywood feature debut Baywatch.
Chopra Jonas has now opened up about the exchange during a recent interview with Vanity Fair. "I usually don't get mad, but that just pissed me off," the Matrix Resurrections (2021) star said.
She further added she usually confides in her family when she feels low and doesn't seem to get affected by people's opinions. "I'll be mad, I'll be angry, I'll be annoyed. I'll speak about it to my family. I might cry a little bit, but it doesn't change my relationship with my work and what my actual quest is. My quest is not people's opinions. My quest is my job. My quest is to make sure that when someone watches something that I have done, it moves them or they enjoy it. My personal life, who I am, all of that is not my job,” she said.
The actor also spoke about the perils of social media where speculation was rife last month that all was not well in her marriage after she dropped Jonas from her surname on Twitter. Chopra Jonas termed this as a “professional hazard” as believes that there is unnecessary credence given to social media in real life.
"It's a very vulnerable feeling, actually, that if I post a picture, everything that's behind me in that picture is going to be zoomed in on, and people are going to speculate. It's just a professional hazard…. Because of the noise of social media, because of the prevalence that it has in our lives, I think it seems a lot larger than it is. I think that we give it a lot more credence in real life, and I don't think it needs that,” she added.
On the work front, the actor was last seen on the big screen in the Hollywood film The Matrix Resurrections, which opened in cinemas worldwide in December. Her upcoming slate of films includes Jim Strouse-directed rom-com Text For You, Amazon thriller series Citadel, produced by Russo Brothers, and Sangeet, an unscripted series co-produced with her husband. She will also produce a film with Amazon Studios on the life of Ma Anand Sheela, the former aide to late godman Osho Rajneesh.
In Bollywood, she will next star in Excel Entertainment’s Jee Le Zaraa, co-starring Katrina Kaif, and Alia Bhatt. The film will be directed by Farhan Akhtar.
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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.