Great music continues to be produced by talented independent artists like Akhil Sahni. The singer, songwriter, and musician based between London and New Delhi recently released his fabulous fourth single Let Us Be Apart. The soulful song about trying to stay away from someone that isn’t good for you mixes up meaning with commercial beats marvellously well.
Eastern Eye got the 19-year-old to select 10 songs he loves.
Everglow by Coldplay (single version): A hidden gem by my heroes and favourite band, known for their larger-than-life performances and music. The beautifully written and composed piano based track brings warmth, relief, and a rush of emotions, as you remember a loved one whose light shines on forever in your life.
The Author by Luz: An artist who has been opening for many big names on the UK circuit, has a small yet spectacular discography. The female songwriter from Ireland writes this single with the most comforting melody that is sung beautifully. The intriguing lyrics make you play this song on repeat.
Nowhere To Hide by Kamal: The star boy from North London known for his bedroom pop hits Blue and Homebody is one of my biggest inspirations as a songwriter and artist. Sonically, so far ahead of many others I’ve heard and with a voice that feels like a hug to all types of listeners, his music is complete and gives the soul all it asks for.
Dream by Akhil Sahni: My third single Dream is personally the closest song of mine. As a pianist my whole life, writing a piano-ballad with a five-minute long audio-visual experience for listeners was always a goal, and inspired by those I’ve grown listening to. The song lets you experience a ‘dream’ with a loved one and get lost in a world through my eyes.
Never Gonna Be Alone by Lizzy McAlpine and Jacob Collier Ft. John Mayer: What happens when one of the greatest storytellers, the best guitar player in the world and biggest
musical genius of the 21st century come together on the same track? It is a journey into another world from start to finish, produced to perfection and showing how despite the plethora of knowledge, the simplicity is what makes them, them.
All 4 Nothing by Lauv: Having fanboyed over Lauv my whole life, seeing the vulnerability he shows in his latest album is magical. One of the best in the pop game with three unbelievable albums, Lauv is evolving at a rapid speed in an upwards direction.
Moonlight by Dhruv: Famously known for his single Double Take, Dhruv’s story and music are both extremely inspiring for me as an independent artist, also from India now based in London. He is a true embodiment of objectively amazing music finding its way to the world eventually and deservingly.
Let Us Be Apart by Akhil Sahni: My fourth and latest single is a short and sweet one about trying your hardest to stay away from someone you know isn’t good for you, but how the universe makes it harder by all the signs it throws at you.
Here’s Hopin’ by JP Saxe Ft John Mayer: A track by two artists whose entire discographies I would recommend as essentials to anyone trying to become a better songwriter. The composition is a perfect balance of everything.
Swan Song by Victoria Canal: As famously said by Chris Martin to Victoria, “this is one of the best songs ever written”. Swan Song is about having one more and one last chance to talk to someone you love. It has all the emotion it needs and is bound to make you tear up. (Special mentions to artists I absolutely adore and are in my playlist, but couldn’t fit in are The Yellow Diary, Daniel Caesar, Ed Sheeran, Maya & Ben, Luke Chiang, AR Rahman, Yashraj.
Happy Listening.
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.