By Asjad Nazir.
BEING a DJ, music producer, radio host and son of a legendary singer means Dipps Bhamrah has been constantly surrounded by music from a young age. That passion for diverse music was evident when Eastern Eye got him to select 10 songs he loves.
Yeh Vaada Raha title track: There are not enough words to describe how much I love
this song. It’s perfect from every angle. The groove, composition and music of RD Burman
is phenomenal. The vocal delivery from Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar projects the
emotion of love.
Dil Mera Legayi by Heera: Meeting, interviewing and asking Kuljit Bhamra (no relation)
to sign my copy of Jag Wala Mela was a young lad’s dream come true because this album
was the first to have a profound effect on my world. Dil Mera Legayi as the opening
track set the tone for the whole album.
Nashe Diye Band Bottle by DCS: There will ever be only one generation of bhangra music
fans who will fully know and experience what the 1990s had to offer. The song Nashe Diye
Band Bottle summed it all up. The intro from Shin, double tempo beat, crowd involvement
and the chorus was groundbreaking.
Dhol Jageero Da by Panjabi MC ft Master Saleem: Only two things will make me get up
and dance. One is the emotional blackmail from family members and the other is Dhol
Jageero Da. Whenever this track drops, I jump up like a meerkat, shout out ‘back in a bit’ and dust off my moves.
Dil To Pagal Hai title track: My first international tour with Apna Sangeet was in December
1997 and the only thing being seen on TV and billboards at the time was the promotion
for Dil To Pagal Hai. All I did was listen to the soundtrack repeatedly while on the road.
Is Tarah Aashiqui Ka from Imtihan: The first Bollywood song I learned to play on keyboard
to impress the girls at school. This song still has a big place in my musical life. The signature Kumar Sanu vocal intro, guitar riff, pianos and composition, come together beautifully.
Saat Samundar Paar from Vishwatma: The 1991 tune holds up even today. This song has
some of the qualities I need for a tune to create an impression; the lyrics paint a picture,
the compositions make you sing along and it has great vocals.
Dil Da Mamla Hai by Gurdas Maan: The great Gurdas Maan has inspired my life on so
many levels. He was the all-round Punjabi superstar of the 1980s and his re-recorded songs from the film Dil Da Mamla were fantastic. My love for this track made me do a remix to it around eight years ago.
Parda Hai Parda from Amar Akbar Anthony: Listening to the soundtrack repeatedly, this
classic stood out and got me to ask ‘why is this track different?’ It was the qawwali inspiration. The music and the percussion section made me want to sit next to Rishi Kapoor and clap along.
Wannabe by Spice Girls: It was my genuine love for the Spice Girls that inspired me to
buy my first English album. Wannabe captured mine and the attention of the world.
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.