Rahul Bhatt, the half-brother of Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, has sparked a significant controversy after making comments comparing his sisters, Alia and Pooja Bhatt, in a recent interview.

His remarks, particularly about Alia's talent and appearance in comparison to Pooja, have drawn widespread criticism on social media, with many netizens finding his comments inappropriate and disrespectful.

In an interview with Hindi Rush, Rahul Bhatt made a series of statements that have caused a stir online. He said that Alia Bhatt "is not even half as sexy" as Pooja Bhatt, adding that Alia lacks the talent and physical appeal that his older sister Pooja possesses. He went on to describe Pooja as "the most talented" among the siblings, further stating that she "carried forward" their father Mahesh Bhatt’s legacy.

Rahul said: “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’ (not as good). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja."
He also praised Pooja for her stardom, recalling how she was once considered "the biggest sex symbol of the country."

Rahul's comments quickly went viral, with many social media users expressing their disapproval. A significant number of people found it inappropriate for him to compare the "sexiness" of his own sisters. One user wrote, “What is he even saying? Disgusting.” Another commenter questioned, “Even if Pooja was more talented or prettier, why talk about your sisters’ ‘sexiness’ like that?” Many others labelled his remarks as “disturbing” and “weird.”

In the same interview, Rahul Bhatt clarified that he shares a good relationship with his younger sister, Alia Bhatt, acknowledging her talent and success. He expressed admiration for her ability to manage her career and personal life, saying:
“She has talent. Everyone is with her. She knows how to do PR well. She is a good mother and has got an excellent husband like Ranbir.”
Despite his praise for Alia, Rahul still maintained that Pooja had a larger impact in Bollywood, especially in terms of acting and fame.

Rahul Bhatt is the son of director Mahesh Bhatt and his first wife, Kiran Bhatt. He has two siblings from this marriage: Pooja Bhatt, a well-known actress and filmmaker, and himself. Mahesh Bhatt later married actress Soni Razdan, and they had two daughters: Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s leading actresses, and Shaheen Bhatt, an author and mental health advocate.

While Rahul’s comments about Pooja have sparked a debate about Bollywood's approach to talent, beauty, and stardom, the online reaction to his statements has been divisive. Some fans have come to his defence, suggesting that he was simply expressing his personal opinion about his sisters. However, the majority of social media users have criticised his comments as unnecessary and insensitive.

Rahul also addressed the infamous controversy surrounding a 1990s magazine cover featuring his father, Mahesh Bhatt, and his sister, Pooja Bhatt, where they were photographed sharing a kiss. Reflecting on the public outcry that followed, Rahul brushed it off, saying it did not affect him:  “It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”

Rahul Bhatt's controversial remarks about his sisters have sparked a storm on social media, leading to widespread debate on the appropriateness of such comparisons within a family. While his comments about Pooja were framed as a personal opinion, the online backlash underscores the sensitivity surrounding discussions of physical appearance, talent, and familial relationships. It remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the public perception of Rahul Bhatt, as well as the dynamics within the Bhatt family.