Rahul Bhatt on Mahesh-Pooja Bhatt's controversial lip kiss

A magazine cover from the 1990s showing Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt kissing on the lips caused a lot of controversy. Both have discussed and clarified the issue several times over the years.
Rahul Bhatt Shares His Thoughts on Growing Up Amidst the Scandal
Rahul Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt's son and Pooja Bhatt's brother, shared his thoughts on the controversy surrounding the magazine cover and its impact on him. In an interview with Hindi Rush, Rahul recalled being around 13-14 years old when it all happened. He mentioned how children from film families often face criticism and challenges, but he learned to stay strong and unaffected by it. He shared how growing up with threats and constant scrutiny made him immune to negativity, without losing his humanity. Rahul emphasized that while he’s become better from these experiences, he hasn’t let bitterness take over and has always stayed true to himself.

Pooja Bhatt Addresses the Lip Kiss Controversy
Earlier, in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Pooja Bhatt was asked about her magazine shoot with Mahesh Bhatt that had drawn significant attention. She responded by stating that she didn’t regret it, explaining that moments can be captured and interpreted in many ways, sometimes misrepresented. She recalled a piece of advice from Shah Rukh Khan, who once told her that when you have young children, they often ask for a kiss from their parents in a playful, innocent way. Pooja further reflected that, despite being an adult, she will always remain her father's "little girl" in his eyes, a bond that will never change.

Pooja Bhatt Defends the Innocence of the Moment
She continued by explaining that the moment captured was entirely innocent, and its interpretation was up to the viewer. She emphasized that she wasn’t going to defend the situation, as people could perceive the relationship between a father and daughter however they chose. She pointed out the irony in discussing family values while some were interpreting the situation in such a manner, calling it a "remarkable joke."