Popular south Superstar Rajinikanth is celebrating his 72nd birthday today. A number of celebrities from across the industries wished the megastar on his special day. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan also wished the veteran actor by penning down a heartfelt note for him, along with sharing a never-seen-before photo featuring the two of them.
SRK took to his Instagram handle to express his love and admiration for the superstar. He posted an unseen photo in which he and Rajinikanth held hands and posed for the camera. The photo was clicked at the wedding ceremony of Tamil actress Nayanthara and filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, which both the superstar had attended. Nayanthara is also set to make her Bollywood debut opposite Khan in the upcoming film Jawan.
“To the coolest, swaggiest, humblest star of stars forever and ever… love you @rajinikanth sir. Wishing you the healthiest & happiest Birthday”, read SRK’s.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Rajinikanth has two high-profile films in the making. He will next be seen in filmmaker Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer. The film also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Vasanth Ravi, Yogi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, and Vinayakan in important characters. His next project is titled Lal Salmaan, which is being directed by his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth.
Shah Rukh Khan, on the other hand, is waiting for the release of Yash Raj Films’ Pathaan, directed by Siddharth Anand. In addition to him, the action thriller also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in lead roles. The first song from the film, ‘Besharam Rang’, was released today and it set the internet on fire minutes after landing on YouTube.
Next, Khan will be seen in director Atlee Kumar’s Jawan, co-starring Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra, and Vijay Sethupathi. He also has Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki in the pipeline. All three films are scheduled to hit cinemas in 2023.
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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.