By: Mohnish Singh
Today marks the first death anniversary of iconic Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor. The entire industry and his fans remember the great actor who redefined romance on celluloid and stayed relevant for over four decades.
Before breathing his last on April 30, 2020, Kapoor was shooting for producer Honey Trehan’s film Sharmaji Namkeen with Juhi Chawla. Who knew it would turn out to be his last film? Trehan, who is producing Sharmaji Namkeen with Abhishek Chaubey and Excel Entertainment, informs that they have decided to retain the late actor’s portions in the film, while Paresh Rawal will be seen in the balanced portion.
Talking about the same, Trehan tells a publication, “How and why we are doing it, is for you to see in the film. Sharmaji Namkeen is a tribute to Rishiji. In 2020, we first lost Irrfan and then Rishiji, and it was more of a personal loss for me. I got to know Rishiji closely while working with him on Sharmaji Namkeen, while with Irrfan I had worked on 6 films. In fact, he was also supposed to be a part of my first directorial debut.”
Remembering the great actor, Honey Trehan adds, “Rishiji was always present in the moment. He would often give life a chance to react, rather than reacting to life, which I loved about him. I remember after he returned from New York, I once messaged him asking if I can come to meet him during the day time that week. He responded questioning, “Are you ok?”. I told him I was absolutely fine and just wanted to meet him to check on his health. He laughed and said, ‘Don’t do all of this, if you want to meet me, then come over for drinks.’ In fact, whether you meet him for the first time or the tenth, he would always make your first drink. That’s the kind of host he was.”
“Whenever someone would try to reach him for a photograph or an autograph - however busy he was - he would always make time for them. In fact, he would get up from his chair to greet the person - old or young - ask them their name, about their health, well-being and would shower them with lots of blessings. Rishiji was very rich with his thoughts and upbringing,” the filmmaker concludes.
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.