By: Mohnish Singh
After legendary singer Kishore Kumar’s son Amit Kumar and former-winner Abhijit Sawant made some scathing comment on Indian Idol, now award-winning singer Sunidhi Chauhan has also come forward with her own revelations about the popular singing reality show and the concept of such shows which have mushroomed on Indian television over the past few years.
For the uninitiated, Chauhan has co-judged the 5th and 6th season of Indian Idol, which airs on Sony Entertainment Television. While speaking to an Indian publication, the singer said that during her association as one of the judges, even she was asked to praise contestants even if they did not perform well. The singer said that she could not keep up the façade for long and eventually decided against judging the show again.
“Not exactly this that everyone had to do this, but yes, we all were told (to praise). That was the basic thing. And so, I could not go on. I could not do what they wanted and I had to part ways. Hence, today, I am not judging any reality show,” revealed Sunidhi Chauhan.
“I think it is done to seek attention. I think it is required to be done to hold your audience. Guess it works,” she added.
The singer further revealed that in previous seasons of Indian Idol and other singing reality shows such as Dil Hai Hindustani and The Voice, she had the freedom to speak her mind and give the contestants constructive criticism instead of false praises.
“I did Dil Hai Hindustani, The Voice and Indian Idol. I could speak the truth then. Even today, I would like to say what I genuinely feel. It is up to them whether they want to have me or not," she concluded.
Earlier, Amit Kumar raised his strong objections against the Indian Idol 12 special tribute episode for Kishore Kumar on which he was a guest. “Frankly, I wanted to stop the episode. I did what I was told. I was told to praise everyone. I was told that no matter how one sings, I had to uplift everyone because it’s a tribute to Kishore da. I thought it will be a homage to my father. But once there, I just followed what I was asked to do. I had told them to give me portions of the script in advance, but nothing of that sort happened,” Kumar said.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
JK Rowling’s Instagram story mocking Pedro Pascal’s criticismInstagram Screengrab
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.