Rashmika Mandanna's latest Instagram post is making waves, not for a film update, but for what fans believe is a personal reveal. The buzz began with a quiet Instagram post: a couple of pictures, a soft smile, and a pink rose. That was enough for fans to start speculating that her rumoured relationship with Vijay Deverakonda might be getting serious. Some even believe a proposal may have already happened.
In the pictures, Rashmika is seen in a casual, floral kurta, holding a rose and smiling to herself. Her caption read, “When was the last time you got yourself flowers? Just a gentle reminder to appreciate and thank yourself often... because you deserve all the love and kindness in the world.”
The post might have been about self-love, but many weren’t convinced the flower was self-gifted. Fans quickly connected it to Vijay, her long-time rumoured boyfriend. Comments ranged from “Vijay gave this, didn’t he?” to playful teases like “credit to – Vijay Deverakonda.”
What added more fuel was their apparent vacation overlap. Rashmika had posted pictures from a beach in Oman on her birthday, and not long after, Vijay posted his own beach photos in a similar setting. While neither of them confirmed the location, fans were quick to match the backgrounds and jump to conclusions.
Despite the ongoing whispers about their relationship, both actors have consistently chosen to stay quiet. They've never confirmed or denied anything, which only seems to make fans dig deeper into every photo, caption, or sighting.
Work-wise, Rashmika’s plate is full. With the success of Pushpa 2, Sikandar, and Chhaava, she’s become one of the most sought-after actresses across industries. She’s currently filming Cocktail 2 with Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon and will also be seen opposite Ranbir Kapoor again in Animal Park. A horror-comedy with Ayushmann Khurrana is also on the cards.
But right now, it's not her film line-up that's trending; it’s that rose. Whether it came from Vijay or not, the comments under her latest post just show how closely fans are watching, waiting for the couple to make things official.
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.