Hollywood star couple, Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton are expecting their first child together.
Zawe, who recently attended a special screening of the period drama Mr Malcom's List on Wednesday, in New York City, showed up with her baby bump. According to People magazine, the 37-year-old actor looked stunning, as she flaunted her baby bump, wearing a shimmery beaded gown, and walking the red carpet. However, Hiddleston was not present at the event.
According to People magazine, Zawe was joined by her co-stars Theo James, Freida Pinto, Sianad Gregory, and Sope Dirisu at the event, alongside director Emma Holly Jones.
Written by Suzanne Allain, Mr Malcom's List'is based upon a novel by the same name, written by Allain herself. The narrative, dating back to 1800s, follows the story of a young woman in England who helps her friend on getting revenge on a suitor who turned her down because she didn't meet one of his requirements on a list to qualify as his bride.
Meanwhile, talking about Hiddleston and Ashton, speculations of their relationship were on the rise since March during the BAFTA 2022 ceremony, after the power couple sparked engagement rumours, with the latter spotted wearing a diamond ring on her left ring finger. The couple had arrived at the BAFTA 2022 in their stunning avatars and were all smiles.
It was during a picture snapped at the ceremony featuring Hiddleston, Ashton, and British TV presenter AJ Odudu, that Ashton was seen wearing a massive diamond ring, which took the Internet by storm. However, the 'Betrayal' co-stars had not addressed their relationship status back at that time.
For the unversed, Tom, 41, and Zawe, 37, have been dating since 2019 after starring in the West End play 'Betrayal' together. In the drama, they starred as on-screen husband and wife.
The assumptions about their romance sparked when they were spotted on a romantic getaway together in September last year. However, the duo confirmed their romance after making their red carpet debut as a couple at the Tony Awards in New York City, last year.
Hiddleston had previously dated actor Susannah Fielding from the years 2008 to 2011 after which they broke up. The actor was also in a short-term relationship with singer Taylor Swift in the year 2016 as well.
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.