'Venom' star Tom Hardy has revealed the reason behind his participation in the jiu-jitsu tournament in which he emerged victorious last week.
On Wednesday, the 'legend' actor explained his reasoning on Instagram, claiming that he was not only competing for himself. Hardy entered the 2022 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship under his given name "Edward," rather than his stage name, according to Fox News. The star competed in the championship for a global nonprofit charitable organisation that assists veterans and first responders, which was held in the United Kingdom.
"Addiction is difficult and complex stuff to navigate; as is mental health," Hardy said via his Instagram post. "Subjects which are both deeply personal for me and extremely close to my heart."
"It is an honour to be able to represent the charity and my team REORG and the great work they do support the mental health and well-being of veterans of service, military and first responders through the therapeutic benefits of Jiu Jitsu and fitness training," he added further in his social media post.
"Everyone recognized him, but he was very humble and was happy to take time out for people to take photographs with him," the tournament's spokesperson told The Guardian. "It was a real pleasure to have him compete at our event."
Hardy said the sport has been beneficial for him on a personal level by allowing him to develop "a deeper sense of inner resilience." The 45-year-old has struggled with addiction in the past.
"Simple training, for me (as a hobby and a private love ) has been fundamentally key to further developing a deeper sense of inner resilience, calm, and well-being. I can't stress the importance it has had and the impact on my life and my fellow teammates." he added.
Hardy also won another title last month at the REORG Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship to raise funds for veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues. According to reports, the 'Mad Max' star is a trustee at the non-profit.
(ANI)
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.