Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and multilingual film actor Kichcha Sudeep engaged in a 'brotherly argument' on Twitter on the topic of whether Hindi is a national language or not.
However, Sudeep clarified that the context in which he made the statement was different from the way it was perceived and that it was not intended to provoke, hurt or start a debate.
The trigger for the argument was Sudeep's statement three days ago during a function in Bengaluru where the who's who of the Kannada film industry celebrated the nationwide success of KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) starring Yash.
When the compere of the event said KGF: Chapter 2had a pan-India effect, Sudeep said Hindi is no more a national language.
"You (compere) said the Kannada film (KGF: Chapter 2) had a pan-India effect. Let there be a correction -- Hindi is no more a national language. Hindi (film industry) should say that they are doing pan-India films today. They are struggling and dubbing their movies in Tamil and Telugu, yet it is not happening (business)," Sudeep had said.
Sudeep added that a pan-India movie was not the concept because people are just making films that reached everywhere due to dubbing.
He explained that way back in the 1970s, China started dubbing Chinese films into English and it was accepted whereas in India the process started quite late.
"Language is just a barrier. Today, it is broken. It's no more pan India. (The term) 'Pan India' is coming to Mumbai," Sudeep said.
This statement did not go down well with Ajay Devgn.
He tweeted in Hindi, which translated to, “@KicchaSudeep, my brother, according to you if Hindi is not our national language, then why do you release your movies, made in your mother tongue, by dubbing them in Hindi? Hindi was, is, and always will be our mother tongue and national language. Jan Gan Man."
Sudeep replied, “Hello @ajaydevgn sir.. the context to why I said that line is entirely different to the way I guess it has reached you. Probably will emphasize why the statement was made when I see you in person. It wasn't to hurt, provoke, or start any debate. Why would I sir?”
The Kannada actor reminded Devgn that he did understand the text that was sent on Twitter in Hindi. "That's only coz we all have respected, loved, and learned Hindi. No offense sir but was wondering what'd the situation be if my response was typed in Kannada.!! Don't we too belong to India sir?" Sudeep said.
Sudeep further said: "I love and respect every language of our country sir. I would want this topic to rest, as I said the line in a totally different context. Much love and wishes to you always. Hoping to see you soon (sic)."
To this, Devgn replied, "Hi @KicchaSudeep, you are a friend. thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding. I've always thought of the film industry as one. We respect all languages and we expect everyone to respect our language as well. Perhaps, something was lost in translation.”
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.