It seems celebrities from all across the world are headed to the ongoing Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We have seen a number of Bollywood celebrities at the festival over the past few days. Some of them include Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Saif Ali Khan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
The latest Bollywood star who has been spotted attending the festival is Hrithik Roshan. The superstar made several heads turn in his dark grey suit at the event. However, it is his candid photo with popular Pakistani actress Mahira Khan that has set the internet on fire. Both actors can be seen seated together and chatting in the photo which has garnered thousands of comments and likes on social media.
Mahira Khan has been giving major fashion goals with her sartorial choices for the event. On Wednesday, she dazzled in a royal blue one-shoulder gown. She looked all things gorgeous as she chose the blue gown and minimal accessories.
Meanwhile, Hrithik Roshan has commenced the first shooting schedule of his much-anticipated film Fighter. The film is being directed by Siddharth Anand, who is presently gearing up for the worldwide release of his eagerly awaited action thriller Pathaan with Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham. Fighter will also feature Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor in lead roles. The film will mark Roshan’s first outing with Padukone. Fans are quite excited to see them together on the screen for the first time ever.
On the other hand, Mahira Khan was last seen in the blockbuster The Legend of Maula Jatt with Fawad Khan. The film has smashed several box office records across the globe and has emerged as the highest-grossing Pakistani film worldwide.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
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.