TOP leaders of south Asian countries paid their tribute to veteran Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar who passed away in Mumbai on Sunday (6).
Mangeshkar is counted as one of India's greats with an estimated 25,000 songs in an almost eight-decade career.
In a message of condolence, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina said Mangeshkar “will remain alive forever” in the hearts of the people in the region through her work.
"A great void has been created in the subcontinent's musical arena with the demise of the Sur Samraggi (empress of music)," Hasina said, conveying her sympathy to the bereaved family.
In a separate message, Bangladesh president Abdul Hamid also expressed his sorrow at the death of the singer.
Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, who was on a four-day visit to China, tweeted, "With the death of Lata Mangeshkar, the subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known. Listening to her songs has given so much pleasure to so many people all over the world.”
Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa said India's "Queen of Music" "touched billions of hearts through her golden and unparalleled voice".
“Mangeshkar is a legend whose memory will remain in our midst for centuries through her melodious voice,” he tweeted, sharing a photograph of the singer.
The island nation’s prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a tweet, "Rest In Peace Nightingale of #India, #LataMangeshkar. Thank you for the decades of entertainment that transcended borders & gave life to the phrase music is a universal language."
Mangeshkar's memory will live through her music, he said.
Sri Lanka's main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa also expressed condolences to Mangeshkar's family.
“Lata Mangeshkar the legend who built bridges across cultures with her mesmerising voice. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and fans,” he tweeted.
Nepal's president Bidya Devi Bhandari recalled the contribution of "genius" Mangeshkar to Nepali songs.
"I am saddened by the news of the demise of famous Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar, who has also lent her melodious voice to many Nepalese songs," Bhandari tweeted in the Nepali language.
"I offer my heartfelt tribute to genius Lata Mangeshkar with extraordinary talent," she added.
Dubbed as the 'Nightingale of India', Mangeshkar has lent her voice to many songs in Nepali films, including blockbuster 'Maitighar' which features yesteryear actress Mala Sinha in the lead role with Nepali actor Chidambar Prasad Lohani.
In a Facebook post, Nepali prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said he was “shocked” by the news of the demise of Mangeshkar, "who has given her voice to dozens of popular Nepali songs".
"I pay heartfelt tribute on her demise and extend condolences to her family," he wrote.
(PTI)
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.