LEGENDARY leading lady Vyjayanthimala was known for her dynamite dance moves and unforgettable presence in songs, but she was also a fine actress who starred in some of the greatest Bollywood movies of all-time.
To mark the iconic star turning 82 on August 13, Eastern Eye went back through her impressive body of work to select her 10 greatest films...
- Nagin (1954): The actress became an overnight superstar despite still only being a teenager in the story of star-crossed lovers from warring tribes. The movie boasted great musical numbers and became the highest grossing Bollywood film of that year.
- Devdas (1955): The finest onscreen adaptation of the legendary novel saw her deliver a standout turn as kind-hearted courtesan Chandramukhi. Vyjayanthimala was famously nominated for a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress award, but turned it down because she thought her role was just as important as the lead heroine.
- Naya Daur (1957): The second highest grossing movie of that year saw her deliver a marvellous performance as the strong-willed village belle opposite Dilip Kumar. The man versus machine drama would be colourised 50 years later and ranked as one of the finest Bollywood films ever made.
- Madhumati (1958): The massively-influential movie saw her team up with Dilip Kumar again and play three roles. The ghostly drama would become the highest grossing Bollywood release of that year and would influence films that followed including Karz (1980) and Om Shanti Om (2007).
- Gunga Jumna (1961): The highest-grossing film of that year was one of the first to explore the theme of brothers on opposite sides of the law, and would become the highest grossing movie of that year. She would win a Filmfare Best Actress award for her stunning portrayal of the fierce village woman.
- Sangam (1964): The highest-grossing film of that year was the first commercial Bollywood blockbuster to be extensively shot in Europe. Her stunning turn of a woman caught between two men in the legendary love triangle would go down in history as one of the greatest.
- Leader (1964): The movie may not have clocked up the huge numbers when it released, but it would go onto become a classic, as would the superb songs. The engaging drama would mark the last great collaboration between her and Dilip Kumar.
- Amrapali (1966): Vyjayanthimala looked like a dream in the colourful historical, which was India’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but not nominated. It didn’t clock up the numbers at the box office because it was ahead of its time and featured one of the all-time great dance numbers featuring the actress.
- Jewel Thief (1967): She starred opposite Dev Anand in the crime thriller, which generated huge box office numbers and included Vyjayanthimala performing one of the all-time greatest dance numbers.
- Prince (1969): Two of the greatest stars of the golden era, Shammi Kapoor and Vyjayanthimala, rounded off their respective careers as leads with this wonderful musical loaded with hit songs. Both played royals in the story of a disillusioned Prince who hides his identity.
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.