Rahul Bhatt ties Rakhi to Pooja Bhatt, calls her his 'protector'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actor Rahul Bhatt marked Raksha Bandhan 2024 with a heartfelt gesture — tying the Rakhi to his sister Pooja Bhatt and publicly calling her his 'protector' in a social media post that drew wide attention. The role reversal, where the brother acknowledges the sister as his shield, offered a rare glimpse into one of Bollywood's most closely watched sibling bonds.
The Raksha Bandhan Post
Rahul shared a photograph with Pooja on his social media account, captioning it: 'My protector- my sister.' In the image, Rahul was seen tying the Rakhi on Pooja's wrist — a symbolic inversion of the festival's traditional narrative. The post quickly resonated with fans of the Bhatt family.
The Bhatt Family Tree
Rahul and Pooja are the children of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and his first wife Kiran Bhatt, formerly known as Lorraine Bright. Mahesh Bhatt later married actress Soni Razdan, with whom he has two daughters — Shaheen Bhatt and Alia Bhatt. Rahul has previously spoken about his relationship with Alia, describing it as cordial while stating that he views Pooja as the sibling who most authentically carried forward their father's cinematic legacy.
Rahul Bhatt: Fitness, Television and Controversy
Rahul has worked as a fitness trainer and has made television appearances over the years. He has frequently found himself in the public eye, at times over controversies. Through it all, he has consistently credited Pooja as his 'rock solid support' — making his Raksha Bandhan tribute a continuation of a long-expressed sentiment rather than a one-off gesture.
Pooja Bhatt's Career in Hindi Cinema
Pooja made her acting debut in Mahesh Bhatt's Daddy (1989) and went on to feature in a string of commercially successful films including Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Sadak, Sir, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee, Chaahat, Border, and Zakhm. She later transitioned to filmmaking and production, backing projects such as Tamanna, Dushman, and Zakhm — the last of which won the National Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. As a director, she helmed Paap, Holiday, Dhokha, and Jism 2. After a prolonged hiatus from acting, Pooja returned to screens with the 2021 OTT series Bombay Begums, cementing her place as a multi-hyphenate force in Hindi cinema.
What the Moment Reflects
The post arrives at a time when celebrity Raksha Bandhan tributes routinely flood social media, but Rahul's framing — casting the sister as protector — stood apart for its candour. It also reinforces the public narrative of Pooja as the steadying influence in a family whose personal and professional lives have long been subjects of public fascination. As Pooja continues to explore new creative avenues, Rahul's tribute underscores the depth of a sibling relationship built through shared history and mutual support.