Vijay Sethupathi, one of the most successful actors working in Tamil cinema, has donated a whopping amount of approximately £98,700 towards a multi-storeyed housing project planned by the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) in Chennai.
Giving the cheque towards the cause, Sethupathi said at an event, “It makes me wonder how RK Selvamani, who is the president of FEFSI, thinks about what's the source of income for film workers and how they are spending 50% of their income towards rent. I have a great deal of respect towards him because of this.”
Revealing that RK Selvamani had made a request to him regarding this project a few years ago, Sethupathi said, “I kept worrying about the fact that I could not help him at that time. There was a delay in providing help, and I called him to apologise for the same. That is when I acted in a couple of ads for real-estate developers. I decided that I would donate the amount that I earn from those gigs to him. Because, for me, every time I get some money, I end up using it to repay some loan or the other that I have borrowed. After deciding so, I felt like I was doing a huge favour. But I realised what I was giving was just going to be just a drop in the ocean because this is an 800-crore project. This is a big dream. It should start well and end well. I request that our workers cooperate with Selvamani for this project. I sincerely believe that this project will be completed in a short term and we have a good leader to implement it.”
On the work front, Vijay Sethupathi has several exciting projects in the pipeline. His upcoming Tamil films include Maamanithan, Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir, Mugizh, Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal, Viduthalai, and Vikram. He also makes his Bollywood debut with Santosh Sivan’s Mumbaikar. The actor also plays an important role in Raj and DK’s upcoming streaming show for Amazon Prime Video.
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.