Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has once again found himself at the centre of controversy, not for his action-packed sequences but for the glaring age difference between him and his co-star Rashmika Mandanna in the upcoming film Sikandar. The topic surfaced during the film’s trailer launch event, and as expected, Khan had a blunt response for his critics.
At the press conference on Sunday, Salman addressed the ongoing criticism in his signature unapologetic style. He questioned why people were making a fuss about his on-screen pairing with Rashmika, who is 31 years younger than him. According to him, if Rashmika and her father had no objections, then the public had no right to interfere.
“Social media users are always after me. Now they are talking about the 31-year age gap. If the heroine has no problem, if her father has no problem, why do you?” he remarked.
His comment sparked laughter at the event, but not everyone was amused. Some saw his statement as dismissive of valid concerns about Bollywood’s long-standing trend of older male actors romancing much younger women on screen.
Singer Sona Mohapatra, known for her vocal opinions, did not hold back. Taking to social media, she criticised Salman’s remarks, labelling them as another example of the industry’s deeply ingrained patriarchy.
Quoting his statement about Rashmika’s father being okay with the pairing, she wrote, “So when he finally gets married, will he also need ‘permission’? The ‘Bhai’ of toxic masculinity doesn’t realise that India has changed.”
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Her reaction reignited conversations about Bollywood’s casting dynamics, with many arguing that female actors are often sidelined as they grow older, while male superstars continue to dominate lead roles well into their fifties and sixties.
Directed by AR Murugadoss, Sikandar is set to hit theatres on March 30, 2025. Shot extensively in Hyderabad and Mumbai, the film boasts a staggering budget of £38 million (₹400 crores). It also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, and Sathyaraj.
For Salman, this film is crucial. His last release, Tiger 3, had a promising start but saw a sharp decline at the box office, ending with a domestic collection of crores £27 million (₹282.79 crores). With stiff competition from Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, already performing well in theatres since its Valentine’s Day release, Sikandar has a lot riding on it.
Whether or not the age-gap debate affects its success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, Salman Khan isn’t backing down.
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.