In recent days, Bollywood star Alia Bhatt found herself at the center of a swirling storm of online rumors, sparking outrage and conversations across various social media platforms. The actress, known for her roles in films like “Jigra,” responded assertively to allegations suggesting she had undergone botox treatment, resulting in alleged facial paralysis. Now, Dr. Sai Ganapathy, a facial aesthetics expert who had initially commented on Bhatt’s appearance, has stepped forward to clarify his stance on the matter.
Earlier this week, Alia Bhatt took to social media to address accusations that she had used botox, a cosmetic procedure that some claimed had left one side of her face paralyzed. The Bollywood star, known for her eloquence and expressive features, posted a comprehensive message, targeting those involved in spreading what she referred to as “beyond ridiculous” allegations. Alia Bhatt passionately articulated her feelings about the situation, emphasizing that personal judgments derived from non-expert observations were perpetuating false narratives about her.
In a conversation with the ‘Hindustan Times’, Dr. Ganapathy, whose original video instigated these claims, responded to the controversy. He emphasized that his comments were based purely on his personal judgment as a professional in facial aesthetics and not an attack targeted at anyone specifically, including Bhatt. While addressing the public, Dr. Ganapathy insisted, “It’s just a personal judgment, and I have not targeted anyone. It can happen to anybody; even some of my patients can face it. These kinds of complications do occur with aesthetic procedures, and it’s nothing to worry about. It’s completely reversible.”
This reassurance comes as part of a broader explanation from Dr. Sai Ganapathy, who sought to unpack the potential medical concerns that might explain Alia’s purported facial changes. Specifically, he pointed towards a common occurrence with botox applications where the substance might inadvertently migrate towards the risorius muscle during facial movements. This migration, he explains, could result in a slight asymmetry or ‘crooked smile’ when the individual speaks. “After seeing her videos, I realized that when she must have got the Botox done, something might have gone wrong.
. And it’s not a major, but a minor complication, which can occur with any injector,” Dr. Ganapathy stated. He continued by suggesting that such observations had been noticed not just by him but also in videos shared online by other individuals.
The conversation naturally moved into the ethics surrounding public scrutiny of celebrities’ appearances. Dr. Ganapathy shared his viewpoint, acknowledging the fine line between personal critique and public commentary. “I don’t think it is right,” he said regarding the practice of pointing out someone’s appearance, “but they are public figures, so there’s more awareness among people when they see these celebrities getting Botox done and something goes wrong. It helps people be more aware that these things can be reversed. If these small mistakes can happen with celebrities, they can happen with normal people too.”
This entire situation initiated discourse around the power of celebrity influence and how public figures, despite their private intentions, often become the backdrop for public education on medical and aesthetic decisions. Dr. Ganapathy opined that while celebrities should not be unduly targeted, their visibility does serve to educate the wider populace on such health and beauty matters.
For Alia Bhatt, the episode has been a moment to cast light on overreaching assumptions and judgments made without seeing the complete picture. In her social media rebuttal, she wrote, “To the random video floating around literally claiming I’ve had Botox gone wrong (and to the numerous clickbait articles) – I have a ‘crooked smile’ and a ‘weird way of speaking,’ according to YOU. This is your hypercritical, microscopic judgment of a human face. And now you’re confidently tossing around ‘scientific’ explanations, claiming I’m paralyzed on one side? Are you kidding me?”
The controversy underscores the delicate balance between public interest and the rights to privacy and dignity that individuals—even celebrities—deserve. Alia Bhatt’s situation serves as a timely reminder of the consequences of hasty judgments based on appearance, while Dr. Ganapathy’s response reveals the inherent complexities and potential misinterpretations within the realm of medical aesthetics. As the conversation continues, the line between informed discussion and harmful speculation remains a vital consideration for both public figures and those who observe them.
