THIS week legendary singer Gurdas Maan celebrates his 63rd birthday on January 4.
The iconic artist has entertained millions around the world with superb songs, high-energy live performances and by acting in successful films. He also inspired a generation of artists, set a high benchmark for Punjabi music and promoted positivity everywhere he has gone. You can celebrate the much beloved artist turning a year older by listening to his greatest hits, and with that in mind,
Eastern Eye selected 10 great songs by the mighty Maan, in no particular order.
Dil Da Mamla Hai: The unknown 23-year-old singer was noticed at a live event and asked to perform this song on the national TV channel Doordarshan in 1980. That star-making
moment turned an anonymous Punjab state electricity board employee into an overnight star.
Challa: The now iconic song became a global blockbuster after featuring in the Punjabi movie Laung Da Lishkara in 1986. The heartfelt timeless song remains popular over 30 years later.
Mamla Gadbad Hai: An early success for the singer was the title track of a hit 1984 film. It had a fun element that connected with music lovers globally. It is a timeless song that has remained with the singer ever since then.
Apna Panjab Hove: The singer has never disconnected himself from his Punjabi roots and this fun song is a celebration of the land he loves. It is a song that gets every Punjabi singing along when it is played anywhere in the world.
Boot Polishan: This is a catchy dance number, but it has a very powerful underlying message about the value of hard work and says make an honest living, even if it means working as a boot polisher. The noble number further states there is no work too big or small.
Ki Banu Duniya Da: The great legend teamed up with superstar singer Diljit
Dosanjh for a stunning cover version of his old hit, which featured on the show Coke Studio. The wonderful song brought together two greats from different generations and has been viewed over 90 million times on YouTube.
Peer Tere Jaan Di: One of his most popular evergreen songs is loved globally largely because of the marvellous music and stunning vocal delivery, but it also has a very deep emotional message that is filled with love and heartbreak.
Sajna Ve Sajna: This was another very early success for the singer and a track that has remained popular for nearly 40 years. It was an early indicator that the
singer would combine artistry with entertainment.
Punjab: The singer has delivered a lot of great songs celebrating his emotional connection to Punjab like Pind Diyan Galliyan, but this devastatingly powerful number commented on what has gone wrong in modern society. It is accompanied by an incredible music video and struck a chord with those who listened to it.
Ishq Di Maari:This passion-filled song inspired by Sufi music has that magical energy associated with the genre. It is a song that immediately grabs hold of you and like all of his other songs, transports you to a world filled with emotion.
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.