‘She is not even half of what my real sister is’: Rahul Bhatt’s comment on sisters Alia and Pooja sparks backlash; why sibling comparisons feel uncomfortable

Further reflecting on his views, Rahul praised Pooja Bhatt for carrying forward their father Mahesh Bhatt’s legacy, saying, “Pooja took my father’s legacy ahead. I saw her in her stardom. She was the biggest sex symbol of the country then.” 

Speaking about his bond with Alia, Rahul mentioned that while they are on good terms, they are not extremely close. “I am on good terms with her. I don’t take things for granted. She is a mother now. She is very successful, and one can’t just pick up the phone and say I am coming to meet you. I never shared that with anybody. I like to maintain a certain protocol. I am happy for her. She got the right husband. She is a good mother, and she is taking care of my other stepsister, Shaheen, very well, which I respect more.”

Netizens were quick to point out that he should not be commenting on the sex appeal of his sisters. One user wrote, “Used ‘sexy’ to describe his own sister btw.” Another pointed out, “Who calls his sister sexy wtf.” A third person commented, “Brother objectifying his own sisters.”

 

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A post shared by Rahul Bhatt (Sunny) (@rahulbhattuncensored) 

But what psychological reasons can explain why siblings sometimes feel the need to rank or compare each other?

Sibling comparisons, especially when made publicly, can stem from complex psychological dynamics. According to psychologist Rasshi Gurnani, sibling rivalry is a common phenomenon rooted in early childhood experiences where children compete for parental attention and validation. “Publicly ranking siblings based on traits like talent, attractiveness, or success may be a manifestation of unresolved feelings of insecurity, competition, or a desire for acknowledgment,” she adds. 

Why are such comments, such as the one made by Rahul about his sisters, deemed inappropriate or uncomfortable?

Gurnani highlights that Rahul’s comment about Pooja being ‘sexier’ sparked widespread discomfort because, culturally and psychologically, the family is regarded as a boundary for certain types of admiration. “In human language psychology, referring to a sibling in terms that emphasise sexual appeal crosses an implicit social boundary known as the ‘incest taboo,’ which governs acceptable behaviour and speech within family relationships.” 

Even if the comment is intended to be lighthearted or merely complimentary, she says that the association of a sibling with sexualised attributes can trigger cognitive dissonance and social disgust, as it disrupts the expected norms of familial respect and emotional safety. “Netizens’ strong reactions highlight the collective discomfort when familial roles are conflated with externalised, objectifying perceptions typically reserved for strangers or public figures outside the family sphere.”