THE Indian stand-up comedian presented his show Who Are You? in London before taking it to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe throughout August.
It didn’t seem as if his show at the iconic Soho Theatre was a warm-up because the performance was self-assured and filled with laughter.
The clearly confident comic started off with a hilarious bit about traffic jams being different between London and Mumbai, before powering on towards material charting his journey from being an engineering student to a career in stand-up.
Each section had hilarious observations, great jokes and stories containing characters that he brilliantly brought to life, including a hapless life insurance salesman, and someone who has more money than actual sense.
Another memorable portion was him detailing the time he got death threats from DJs and making observations about them that had audiences roaring with laughter.
A similarly funny bit revolved around a motivational speaker, who instead of uplifting his audiences, inspired thoughts of them wanting to murder him. Although, much of the material was based around his experiences living in India, Subramanian had more than enough skills to make it relatable to a diverse audience.
Each section was elevated to a higherlevel by Subramanian’s impressive stage presence and confident delivery during an effortlessly funny set that maintained momentum from start to finish. The only thing that was really missing was any kind of crowd work, which could have added another layer to the performance and cemented that audience connection.
The material and delivery was so strong that his lack interaction didn’t harm the show in any way. In fact, his momentum was so impressive that the show carried on 10-15 minutes past the scheduled finish.
This fast-rising star showed that he is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Indian stand-up comedy and someone who is destined to reach even great heights. Audiences will find out who he is in a good way.
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.