Rahul Bhatt Says He’s Not Bothered by Mahesh & Pooja Bhatt’s Infamous Kiss

New Delhi | 24 April 2025 — The controversial 90s magazine cover featuring filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt kissing his daughter Pooja Bhatt on the lips has once again come under scrutiny. This time, it’s Pooja’s half-brother, Rahul Bhatt, defending the photo—nearly three decades after it first sparked widespread discomfort.

Speaking to Hindi Rush, Rahul appeared unfazed by the backlash that continues to resurface. “Kuch faraq nahi padta hai (It doesn’t bother us),” he said, adding, “Humne bachpan se dekha hai yaar (We’ve seen this since childhood).” The comment, intended to downplay the public outrage, has instead triggered fresh criticism over what many perceive as the normalization of inappropriate behavior under the guise of artistic expression.

A Family Unapologetic

Rahul Bhatt, who works as a fitness trainer, went on to generalize the experiences of children from film families. “Film parivar ke bache ya toh bahut messed up hota hai ya bahut mazboot (Kids from film families are either messed up or very strong),” he said, suggesting that public scrutiny does not affect them.

However, critics argue that dismissing public discomfort as mere noise sets a dangerous precedent—especially when the issue in question involves a parent and child engaging in behavior most would consider a clear boundary violation.

Pooja Bhatt’s Prior Defense

This is not the first time the Bhatt family has addressed the photo. In 2023, Pooja Bhatt called the kiss “innocent” during an interview with Siddharth Kannan and condemned those who questioned it. “Agar log baap aur beti ke rishte ko alag nazariye se dekh sakte hai toh woh kuch bhi kar sakte hai (If people can look at a father-daughter relationship through a twisted lens, they’re capable of anything),” she said. She further remarked on the irony of those same critics speaking about family values.

But many have pushed back against that framing. The argument that the public is at fault for how it interprets such an image sidesteps the more pressing question: Why did a father and daughter feel comfortable posing that way in the first place, and why has no one from the family acknowledged how troubling it appeared to so many?

The photo, originally published in a film magazine, has never stopped being a source of controversy. Despite being decades old, the image is frequently cited in discussions about boundaries, parental conduct, and exploitation within the entertainment industry.

Industry insiders have largely avoided commenting on the matter, and there has been no apology or reconsideration offered by the Bhatt family. Instead, every reappearance of the image in public discourse has been met with either silence or statements that downplay its seriousness.