Talented actor Vijay has entertained audiences, broken box office records and gained a dedicated fanbase that follows his every move. One of India’s biggest film stars turns a year older on June 22 and celebrates his 48th birthday. He will receive a tidal wave of good wishes from his impressive army of global fans and one of them named George marked the occasion by telling Eastern Eye just how much the cinema giant means to him.
Thalapathy Vijay is a name synonymous with hard work and success. He is the numero uno superstar of Tamil cinema. Growing up witnessing Vijay navigate through various stages of his life is an inspiration and lesson to millions of his fans. My first memory of Vijay was seeing the smash hit song Ennai Thalatta Varuvalo on television at the age of four when I saw a charming guy bump shoulders with Shalini in a bookstore. I stared in awe of him. It seemed like Vijay could charm a corpse, and I was only an impressionable child. His impact on me watching him from afar that early was massive.
His rise to claiming the throne as king of Kollywood has not been an easy journey. He kept hustling despite the stringent criticism he got during the initial stages of his career. He conquered his insecurities through hard work. Overcoming bumps and roadblocks, taught him enough about perseverance to build an empire on his own.
From Ganesh, a person relentlessly pursuing romance in Love Today to portraying Kutty, an aspiring singer, in Thulladha Manamum Thullum, Vijay continued to reign supreme with one blockbuster after another in his early stage, not slowing down or looking back. Thulladha Manamum Thullum made me weep, to watch Kutty break down inside a toilet after getting a telegram informing him of his mother’s death. This was also the time when I watched his interviews, read up on him, and discovered his life story.
I wanted to dance like Vijay, love like Vijay, cry like Vijay, mimic him, and even do daredevil stunts like him. Such is his influence. It is impossible for me not to write about him, talk about him, think about him, love him, for Vijay is my life.
When he sang, 'ella pugazhum oruvan oruvanuke' (all the fame is only for the one), I was motivated to keep going in life and not procrastinate on important things. When he sang, 'ennai thalatta varuvalo' (will she come to cradle me?), it would make me fall in love, if I was not already in it.
When he begins his speech to fans with the famous line, ‘en nenjil kudi irukkum’, (my dear fans, who reside in my heart), his voice stirs my soul. He has a deep connection and bond with every fan. He feels like an elder brother to me.
Vijay is an inspiration for Kollywood hopefuls who enter the industry, trying to become the next superstar. His fandom is ever-expanding. To be a fan of Vijay means love and loyalty. Love grows there ever so constant. The loyalty, however, is tested regularly, but it never wanes. Blend the two, and you get a distinctive fandom for one of India’s biggest superstars. And Vijay will always remain so, despite haters and naysayers.
George is a twenty-something energy engineer based in Chennai. He enjoys writing poetry and fiction. He fell in love with actor Vijay two decades ago and never recovered. That said, he is trying not to be too serious as his friends insist. Twitter: @VijayIsMyLife
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.