A successful businesswoman from West Yorkshire and the winner of The Apprentice 2021, Harpreet Kaur opened up about her relationship with co-star Akshay Thakrar admitting “something has blossomed between us”.
The entrepreneur, 31, appeared on Thursday’s episode of the spin-off show The Apprentice: You're Fired as the new season kicked off. However, instead of talking about the new batch of hopefuls, show host Tom Allen seemed more interested in knowing about her relationship with Thakrar.
Talking about the same, Harpreet said, “I think we were really focused on the process, focused on the tasks, there was absolutely nothing going on at the house. I think going through the process and coming out of it, we built a friendship, and it went from there. Everything after the show.”
For those not in the know, Harpreet and Akshay announced their relationship after The Apprentice came to an end. “The best things in life happen unexpectedly,” the couple captioned the photo they shared on social media to make their relationship official.
Seeing Akshay sitting in the audience, Tom said, “Akshay, you were a candidate in last year's process, but there's also another reason you're here, isn't there?” As Akshay smiled, Tom turned to Harpreet and asked, “Isn't that right, Harpreet?”
“Oh yeah. Well since the show and in the past few months, you know, something has blossomed between us,” Kaur said.
Is it a £250,000 investment?’ Tom probed, adding: ‘Wow, how romantic!’
She then admitted she hasn’t been sliding into anyone’s DMs, before Akshay spoke about how surprised he was to find love on a business show.
“I was just in the boardroom all the time,” he joked. “Me and Harpreet hardly spoke on the show hardly, because we never worked on the same team. And even while the show aired, we hardly spoke, it’s only after, I was like, “Let’s grab dinner,” she was like, “No, I can only do lunch,” I said, “Fine”, and then we really connected, our mindsets really connected.”
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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.