Rani Mukerji has been receiving immense adulation for her work in her latest release Hichki. Speaking about the box office success of Hichki, she said to a leading Indian daily, ''More than tasting sweet, I think it brings relief and happiness to all of us because all the things that we did went against set 'norms'. There are always doubts in people's hearts and minds about whether a married actress, who is also a mother now, will be accepted by the moviegoers or not. Plus, this is not a masala film. It's a sweet story about education and has a message for the society.''
She further said, ''When a film like Hichki becomes successful, it's like the audience telling us, 'we don't care about your marital status, personal life, or if you had a baby. We just want to see you back on screen.' I think that's a big shift for all the women who want to continue or make their career after motherhood. If an actress makes a comeback after marriage or motherhood, she is always questioned, but a hero is never asked, 'you are doing a film after marriage so what will happen to your brand equity?' If a film can break that barrier, I think it's a great pathway for all the actresses, who want to maintain their personal lives parallel to their professional lives.''
Rani was last seen in Mardaani (2014); Rani made her comeback on silver screen with Hichki after 4 years of hiatus. On being asked about whether she would take a break from acting again, she said, ''Not at all, I will be back (on screen) soon. I will do more films because now, my audience has given me strength to come back faster as they have told me, 'we believe in you, your talent and your work.' I am thankful to them that I can pursue my dream of going on doing films, regardless of my gender and personal life status. I have heard scripts but kept them on hold as I wanted to see how Hichki would fare. Now, I will go back to the scripts.''
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.