A decade-old music video featuring British-Pakistani singer Zayn Malik has left his fans puzzled, thanks to a make-up transformation which 'changed' him into a woman.
According to a report by The Mirror, the former member of boy band One Direction dressed as a woman in its 'Best Ever Song' video from 2013. Malik was 19 then.
The singer donned the role of 'Veronica' and devoted hours for the hair and make-up for the clip which was recently shared by his mother.
She also posted behind-the-scenes footage from one of the band's biggest songs, the report added.
It was not easy for Malik to play the role initially as he struggled to walk in a tight pencil skirt and heels.
"I can't walk like a lady, man. That's not going to happen. It would be funnier if I walk like a man," the youngster said.
The video showed Malik covering his tattoos and wearing a long brunette wig, grey blouse, and glasses.
Recently, the singer impressed One Direction fans by singing 'Night Changes', seven years after he exited the band due to alleged stress.
The song is from the group's fourth studio album and Malik's acapella version sent the fans into a frenzy after sharing it on Instagram.
The ecstatic admirers gave reviews with broad praise for Malik's singing talent on social media.
One wrote, for instance, "Zayn singing 1d songs in 2022 is literally the best thing could ever happen."
After being assembled on the X Factor in 2010, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan, along with Malik, earned millions of fans around the world.
Malik decided to quit the company in 2015 and in his first book released the next year, he recalled his decision to leave One Direction.
He wrote, "I had been in a bad place for a while and I didn't see myself getting out of it unless I made a change.
"My relationship with my [ex] fiancee Perrie [Edwards] was breaking down. To make matters worse, there were so many crazy stories flying around in the newspapers about us."
He added that he "just wanted to disappear for a while" before deciding to exit the band at a One Direction concert in Hong Kong.
"I wasn't going to spend another minute doing something which made me ill and which I no longer believed in," he said.
"I couldn't see that there was anything left for me to give or to gain from staying,' he added. "It wasn't worth it.
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.