The year 2018 saw many Bollywood celebrities getting together with new people. From Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor to Arbaaz Khan and Giorgia Andriani, quite a number of celebrities found new meaning to their lives this year.
Here, we are listing out five such couples who grabbed headlines this past year.
Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor: It wouldn't be wrong to say that Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor have been the most talked about couple this year.
Ranbir confirmed his relationship with Alia in a GQ interview saying: “It’s really new right now, and I don’t want to over speak. It needs time to breathe and it needs space. As an actor, as a person, Alia is – what’s the right word? – flowing right now. When I see her work, when I see her act, even in life, what she gives is something that I’m aspiring to for myself. It’s new for us, so let it cook a bit.”
Alia also has the approval of Ranbir's parents. When asked about the new relationship, this is how Rishi Kapoor reacted: “Neetu likes her, I like her, Ranbir likes her. Get it?”
Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora: News of Malaika's romance with Arjun started doing the rounds shortly after she announced her separation from husband Arbaaz Khan. Although the duo has not talked about their romance, reports indicate that post her separation Malaika met Arjun at an event and the two have been in touch since then.
According to latest reports, they are all set to move into a plush apartment.
"Arjun and Malaika have together purchased a flat in a plush society near Lokhandwala Complex. It is their joint investment together. Whether they plan to live in or no is entirely up to them. But they are surely getting a space for themselves. Currently, the interiors of the house are being done and both Malaika and Arjun are looking into the details," a source told a leading entertainment portal.
Arbaaz Khan and Giorgia Andriani: Arbaaz and Giorgia met shortly after the actor called it quits with his wife Malaika in 2016.
Arbaaz and the Italian model are reportedly set to get hitched next year, according to a report in SpotBoyE.
A source told the portal, "Both families approve of the relationship and, as things stand today, the couple will wed in court next year. It will be an intimate affair and the families are yet to zero in on the date."
Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar: The duo has been dating for the past few months and Dandekar recently said in an interview she doesn't feel the need to hide who she's dating.
In an interview to Mid-day, the actress said: "We are public figures, so people are entitled to say what they want to. But I don't care about their opinion. I'm aware of who I am and I'm comfortable with who I choose to date.
"I am not secretive, but I don't feel the need to say things out loud. It's up to me to decide when and what I want to share about my personal life, and it is up to the audience to decide how they look at it. How much information I want to put out in the public domain is my prerogative," she said.
Kim Sharma – Harshvardhan Rane:
Harshvardhan recently confirmed his relationship with Kim to Hindustan Times, saying: “Of course I am in a relationship. There’s nothing to deny obviously, we are seen everywhere. We haven’t kept anything hidden till now. Since this is not work-related, I don’t know how to talk about it much, or what to discuss about it.”
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.