Hollywood star Tom Hardy surprised everyone in Milton Keynes this weekend when he appeared in a real-life Jiu-Jitsu competition and won the finale
Donning his blue belt, Hardy made his powerful entry at the 2022 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship, held at Oakgrove School in Milton Keynes, on Saturday, September 17.
Dressed in a blue Jiu-Jitsu gi, the actor won the gold medal in his category, defeating his final opponent by an arm bar submission.
For those not in the know, Hardy started training for the sport in 2011 as part of his role in the film, Warrior, which centered on a pair of brothers who are mixed martial arts fighters. The actor has also trained in mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing.
Event sponsor, Sean Rosborough, told a publication, “We found out he was coming probably a couple of weeks before. He was brilliant. A lot of people were asking for photos, and coming up to him, and he had no problem with that at all. The mums were all over him. It didn’t bother him.”
“Tom was a really nice guy. Everyone recognised him but he was very humble and was happy to take time out for people to take photographs with him,” a spokesman for the UMAC told the MK Citizen. “It was a real pleasure to have him compete at our event.”
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense martial art that involves grappling, ground fighting and submission holds. Within its classifications, Hardy is recognised as a high-level blue belt.
Last month, Hardy achieved similar success after turning up at a charity martial arts competition in Wolverhampton. The 45-year-old competed in the Reorg jiu-jitsu and Parajiu-jitsu championship, where he again achieved a gold medal finish.
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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.