There is nothing new in children following the footsteps of their parents and joining the same profession. Whether you call it nepotism or anything else, but a large number of children still want to pursue the same profession as their parents and carry the legacy forward. This applies in almost every field, but when a celebrity’s kid takes up the same profession, it does create a hue and cry at times.
Just like any other father, popular actor Saif Ali Khan is proud that his daughter Sara Ali Khan, who made her acting debut with Abhishek Kapoor’s Kedarnath (2018), has proved her worth and talent in such a short period of time. After daughter Sara, now people are waiting for the debut of his elder son Ibrahim Ali Khan who has grown up to be a really handsome and charming boy.
In his recent interview with a leading Indian daily, Saif Ali Khan said that all his children have a keen interest in the profession of acting. When it came to Ibrahim, he considered his son is better-looking than him and hence he should really consider a career in showbiz. However, he emphasized that Ibrahim should first complete his graduation.
Talking about the prospects of Ibrahim’s acting debut, Saif told the daily, “He should. He’s looking good, better looking than I am! He’s a very charming guy. I definitely think all of my children would be interested in acting. We’re an acting family, the whole bunch of us are in the industry. So I’m sure. He’s still a little young, and I’m keen that he does university first. Then, of course, we’ll support him in whatever he wants to do.”
Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan is gearing up for the world premiere of his hugely anticipated web-series Sacred Games 2. The Netflix original, also starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pankaj Tripathi in important roles, starts streaming on 15th August, 2019.
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.