After two years of relationship, Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt finally called it quits last year. There were reports about Sidharth getting closer to Jacqueline Fernandez while shooting abroad for A Gentleman.
In a recent interaction with a leading Indian daily, Sidharth was asked about his love life, to which he said, “I am very much single!”
Speaking about what love signifies for him, he said, “That’s a subject I wish I could articulate. I’d be lying if I said any line [to define it]; it will be a fake line. I’m still learning the process of understanding what love is. There are so many permutations and combinations; whoever articulates it is just making it up. Nobody knows!”
Talking about the common notion of a perfect girl, he said, “It’s a mirage, it’s a cheat! There is no such thing as a perfect girl. It’s not how someone is, it’s how they make you feel. That’s more important. That feeling is a sense of positivity and warmth, and you know that there is something real to it.”
Talking about his fans' curiosity to know about his relationship status, he said, “I don’t let it affect me in a negative way. Yes, there are things which are not called for at times, and there are some things which are true also. It’s unproductive, I must say.”
“I’ve worked very hard to come here [in films]. I’m not here to read about my personal life, but to work in movies, [and] create content. So, putting energy into rumours is digressing for someone like me,” concluded Sidharth.
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.