By: Mohnish Singh
It is no secret that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has a heart of gold. From helping his industry friends in their career to donating millions through his foundation Being Human to writing large checks for various other charitable works, stories of his generosity and magnanimity keep hitting the headlines every now and then.
The latest we hear that Khan has refused to take any fee for his extended cameo in Yash Raj Films’ big-ticket venture Pathan, which stars his contemporary Shah Rukh Khan in the title role. There were reports that producer Aditya Chopra was set to write a hefty paycheque to him for his 10-day cameo in the film as he thought that his presence as Tiger would add value to the box-office collections of Pathan, and therefore deserves to be paid for the same. However, when Chopra went to Khan to discuss the remuneration and payment structure after the latter wrapped up his portion for the film, he straight away refused to take any money from the producer.
A source from the sets of Pathan informed an entertainment portal that when Aditya Chopra went to Salman Khan to discuss the financials, the superstar said, “Shah Rukh is like a brother. I would do anything for him.” And when the producer kept insisting on him being paid, Khan said, “Split my fees by adding it to the budget of Pathan and Tiger (3).”
The source now informs that Chopra is planning to give an expensive gift to Khan for his goodwill gesture of extended cameo in Pathan.
Pathan, which Siddharth Anand is directing, also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in lead roles. While Padukone reunites with Shah Rukh Khan after Happy New Year (2014), Abraham is working with the star for the first time in his career.
Stay tuned to Eastern Eye for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.