India today woke up to the news of yet another win by SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster film RRR (2022) as its popular song “Naatu Naatu” bagged the prestigious Golden Globes Award at a glitzy ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA.
Music composer MM Keeravani received the winning trophy and dedicated it to Rajamouli, and also thanked actors Ram Charan and Jr NTR for their performance at the award ceremony.
Additionally, what also captured netizens’ attention was how Rihanna waved at the team of RRR during the ceremony. In a video shared on social media, the pop star, wearing a black velvet bustier dress and voluminous stole from Schiaparelli Haute Couture, is seen waving at the team as she walks by them. The video has been going viral on the internet.
For the uninitiated, Rihanna was also nominated under the same Golden Globes Best Original Song category for her song “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
While some are impressed by her gesture that she stopped by the RRR table to congratulate them, others believe she just swept by, ignoring the eventual winners of the night. Watch the viral video here and decide:
Meanwhile, “Naatu Naatu” is composed by MM Keeravani and penned by Kala Bhairavi and Rahul Sipligunj.
Other songs that were also nominated for the prestigious award along with “Naatu Naatu” include Taylor Swift's “Carolina” from Where The Crawdads Sing, “Ciao Papa” from Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Lady Gaga's “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick and, of course, Rihanna's “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
About the historic win of “Naatu Naatu”, SS Rajamouli said a statement said, “SPEECHLESS. Music truly knows no boundaries. Congratulations & thank you PEDDANNA for giving me #NaatuNaatu. This one is special. I thank each and every fan across the globe for shaking their leg and making it popular ever since the release.”
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.