Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor, who is part of the committee for the Royal Academy of Art’s annual Summer Exhibition Preview Party, attended the event held in London. Known to be one of the most inclusive global personalities, it comes as no surprise that the popular actress was invited to be a part of the open, inclusive and democratic show.
Earlier this month, Kapoor opened the doors to her London office and home and was instantly pegged as an art connoisseur. Her presence at the preview of the exhibition only reiterated the platform’s vision of inclusive art.
This platform not only provides a runway to artists but also helps finance the next-gen of artists. This year’s theme of ‘Reclaiming Magic’ included self-taught artists, artists with disabilities and artists from the African diaspora in order to showcase the diversity of human expression.
Staying true to this year's theme of ‘Reclaiming Magic’, Kapoor stunned in a floor-length, full-sleeve, high-collar Anamika Khanna outfit and Jessica McCormack earrings. A vision in antique gold and black, she made a strong style statement by looking no less than royalty herself.
The preview party was chaired by Grayson Perry RA and Batia Ofer. It was attended by the likes of Marco Gobbetti (CEO – Burberry), Alice Eve, Nathan Rizwan, Jenna Coleman, Kitty Spencer and Tracy Emin amongst others. Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, this year’s exhibition coordinator, aimed to celebrate the joy of creating art by putting on display the transformative powers of the magical in art, a return to the ritualistic and the sheer joy of making.
On the film front, Sonam Kapoor next will be seen in the upcoming Bollywood film Blind. Produced by Sujoy Ghosh, Avishek Ghosh, Hyunwoo Thomas Kim, Sachin Nahar, Pinkesh Nahar, and Manish W, the film has been directed by filmmaker Shome Makhija. It will premiere on a streaming media platform.
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.