Superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar believe the new Parliament building will contribute towards a "new India" and become a symbol of the country's growth story.
The Hindi film stars shared a glimpse of the new Parliament house on Twitter on Saturday night and expressed their happiness over its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The prime minister praised the two actors for sharing their thoughts on the new building.
"What a magnificent new home for the people who uphold our Constitution, represent every citizen of this great Nation, and protect the diversity of her one People @narendramodi ji. A new Parliament building for a New India but with the age-old dream of Glory for India. Jai Hind! #MyParliamentMyPride," Shah Rukh wrote alongside the video featuring his voiceover.
The parliament is to the nation what soul is to the body, the 57-year-old actor said in the clip with the famous "Swades" track "Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera" playing in the background.
"My sincere prayers that the soul of democracy remains robust in its new home and continues to foster liberty, fraternity, and equality for ages to come. May this new abode of democracy build a new age that is renowned for its scientific temper and empathy for all.
"A new parliament for a new India but with the same age-old dream -- the glory of India, of our nation. Jai Hind!" SRK said.
PM Modi hailed Shah Rukh for beautifully expressing his thoughts about the new Parliament building.
"The new Parliament building is a symbol of democratic strength and progress. It blends tradition with modernity. #MyParliamentMyPride" the prime minister tweeted.
Akshay also shared the video with a personalised voice-over.
"Proud to see this glorious new building of the Parliament. May this forever be an iconic symbol of India’s growth story. #MyParliamentMyPride" he tweeted.
The actor, who grew up in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, said as a kid he used to notice that the majority of the buildings near India Gate were constructed by the British.
"Today, on seeing this brand new and grand new building my heart is filled with pride. The Indian Parliament is a temple of democracy. It is a symbol of the new India. An India, which is not only at the forefront of culture and heritage, but also marching ahead in the world with its progress," he said in the clip.
The actor congratulated PM Modi for "making this day possible". "God bless India with more and more progress in the years to come," he added.
The Prime Minister replied on Akshay's post and said the "new Parliament is truly a beacon of our democracy." "It reflects the nation's rich heritage and the vibrant aspirations for the future. #MyParliamentMyPride" PM Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building here on Sunday morning and installed the historic Sengol in the Lok Sabha chamber.
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.