1. Amba Vilas Palace, Mysore
Amba Vilas Palace otherwise known as the Mysore Palace is a historical palace and a royal residence at Mysore in the southern Karnataka state of India. This palace is the official residence of the royal family of Mysore and was built in 1912. Mysore Palace is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in India, after the Taj Mahal, with more than 6 million annual visitors.
2. Laxmi Vilas Palace, Baroda/Vadodara
The term Maharaja Palace actually refers to a series of palaces in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Laxmi Vilas Palace, Baroda is one of the biggest palaces in the world. The royal palace is four times larger than the Buckingham Palace, England. The royal residence of the family of Gaekwads, it was constructed in 1890 and is known for its glorious design.
3. The Lake Palace, Udaipur
The Lake Palace, Udaipur is one of the most beautiful palaces in Rajasthan. It was built by the Maharana Jagat Singh II, who was the 62nd king of the Mewar dynasty. The palace was built on the Lake Pichola’s natural foundation of 4 acres which is the natural island in the Udaipur.
4. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Another Rajasthan palace to feature on the list of best royal palaces in India is the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. The construction of the palace began in 1929 and was completed in 1943 and the result was one of the largest residential buildings in the world. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. Umaid Bhawan Palace was awarded as the World's best hotel at the Traveller's Choice Award.
5. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Hawa Mahal literally means ‘Palace of Winds’. The palace is located in the beautiful city Jaipur. The palace was built in 1799 by the Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh Ji. It is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jaipur. It is constructed of red and pink sandstone.
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.