INDIAN superstar Shah Rukh Khan charmed a TED Conference crowd yesterday (27), sharing his life and playfully portraying himself as an aging movie star grappling with the changes around him.
Khan's talk on the TED stage came just months before a version of the big-idea-sharing event makes a television debut in India, where he will play the role of curator Chris Anderson.
In a rare display, scores of fans staked out the convention centre where TED was taking place, some of them pressing against windows to watch Shah Rukh's appearance being streamed to television screens.
"For years, I've been a huge fan of TED Talks," the star said, referring to the conference's freely shared videos in which brilliant and accomplished people dive concisely into captivating concepts.
"There are so many people in India who would like to come out with their ideas and thoughts, and speak them in Hindi."
TED curator Anderson described TED Talks India as the organization's most ambitious television project to date, and expected it to reach tens of millions of people when episodes begin airing later this year.
TED collaborated with media giant Star India on the project.
"The country is teeming with imagination and innovation," Anderson said in a blog post.
"We believe this series will tap into that spirit and bring insight and inspiration to many new minds."
In a TED video likely to go viral when it is released online, 51-year-old Shah Rukh reminisced about growing up in a time when the word apple brought to mind fruit, not a world-changing company co-founded by the late Steve Jobs.
He spoke of his career rocketing and the arrival of an internet age where social media was so rampant that he felt "humanity, like me, was becoming an over-exposed prima donna."
"I sell dreams and I peddle love to millions of people back home in India who assume that I am the best lover in the world," Shah Rukh said as he opened his talk.
"It has to be you who creates a world that is its own best lover, that should be the future you," he said in closing, referring to the conference theme.
(AFP)
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.