PERFORMANCE-BASED reels being massively popular online has led towards rising stars from different dance disciplines showing off their skills. The social media stars of all ages, from young children to the elderly, regularly produce eye-catching reels that reach millions around the world. Eastern Eye decided to celebrate some of these dance heroes with a list of seven great Instagram accounts to follow.
@keshavi_chhetri_ official: After appearing in multiple dance reality shows Keshavi Chhetri (right) has found fame online with 1.4 million Instagram followers. She regularly shares her talents with different performances in her reels, ranging from solo pieces to collaborations.
@naina.wa: A German girl named Nina regularly does great Bollywood performances, either alone or with other dancers. Despite not having an Indian background, she adds a real spark to Hindi film songs and shows off body confidence.
@Poojaandaparna: It is twice as nice with semiclassical dance duo Pooja and Aparna. They are perfectly in sync with performances, which range from Indian classical to commercial film songs.
@ravi.bala.sharma: Affectionately known as Dancing Dadi, Mumbai based Ravi Bala Sharma (left) regularly shows that age really is just a number with her fabulous videos. The groovy 64-year-old granny with over 280,000 followers entertains everyone with graceful dance performances and inspires others to do the same.
@Bhangraempire: With over 911,000 followers, the dynamite dance troupe regularly shares reels from their professional performances and dance classes. The result is a series of high energy videos that will make you want to bust some shapes.
@gmgjddance: A daily wage laborer has set up a dance academy in a small village in West Bengal and regularly uploads videos of his students performing dance pieces. Videos featuring the impoverished youngsters (above) have gained them over 1.1 million followers and inspired other children.
@dancersofindia: This fantastic account showcases superb Indian dancers by sharing their work. There is a whole range of reels featuring fantastic talents and their accounts are tagged, making them easy to find
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.