Trolling celebrities unnecessarily is not a new phenomenon. Ever since social media became an integral part of our lives, it sort of powered everyone to have an opinion on almost everything under the sun. While some people use social media as a tool to spread positivity, for others it is just a weapon to slam and troll celebs just for a few seconds of fun.
Talking about trolling, actress Aditi Rao Hydari said at an event, "I feel it is a reality you cannot run away from. You have to be positive no matter what the situation is because I feel people who troll others must be going through some kind of problems, or they must be feeling sad about themselves or they must be angry with something. So, they express their anger by commenting on your social media posts.”
The Padmaavat (2018) actress went on to add, "I feel that the only thing that you can do is to look at them with compassion and with hope that they feel better soon. Sometimes, I even write to them that I hope you have a better day. You can only wish them well. There must be some reason behind their anger."
Aditi Rao Hydari will next be seen in Ribhu Dasgupta’s The Girl On The Train. The film is a remake of the 2016 Hollywood film of the same name and also stars Parineeti Chopra and Kirti Kulhari. Talking about the film, she said, "We have completed the shooting of the film. It was our start to finish schedule. I really had fun while shooting the film."
Produced under the banner of Reliance Entertainment, The Girl On The Train is scheduled to release in 2020.
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.