It is undoubtedly the time for celebration at Mannat as Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s eldest son Aaryan Khan got a clean chit by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the drug-on-cruise case, seven months after he was granted bail. The 24-year-old was arrested from a cruise in Mumbai on charges of drug conspiracy and consuming drugs.
As the NCB dropped the case against the star kid, celebrities like Pooja Bhatt, Ram Gopal Varma, and others took to Twitter to criticise the anti-drug agency for their probe.
Taking a dig at Sameer Wankhede, who led the initial probe in the drugs case, actor-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt tweeted, “Sameer who? Er sorry, where? Ah! Probably very busy being a righteous, publicity-shy officer elsewhere? So much of a mess to clean up after all. And who better than the least corrupt of them all to cure society of all evil & rot. Except for this time, no selfies allowed. #truthprevails (sic).”
Her second tweet read, “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do. Time heals all wounds. Time also wounds all heels (sic).”
Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma also tweeted about the inefficiency of various investigating agencies. “The only good thing which came about in Aryan Khan case is him being a celebrity @iamsrk ‘s son, it helped in vastly exposing the inefficiency and recklessness of various agencies subjecting innocent people to harassment which otherwise the common people can’t and won’t know of,” he tweeted.
Well-known fashion photographer and film producer Atul Kasbekar came down heavily on a section of the media for their insensitive coverage of the case. “Now that there’s a complete clean chit for Aryan Khan by all the concerned govt agencies… I don’t suppose there’s an apology or some introspection forthcoming from all the media channels that were crucifying the kid in this flimsy case? Too much to expect some good grace,” he tweeted.
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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.