Bollywood star Alia Bhatt recently took a break from her busy schedule to celebrate a very special occasion—the 96th birthday of her grandmother, Gertrude Hoelzer. The intimate family gathering was made even more special as Alia's mother, actress Soni Razdan, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, reminiscing about precious memories with her mother.
Soni Razdan delighted fans by posting a series of nostalgic throwback pictures of Gertrude Hoelzer, giving a rare glimpse into the life of Alia’s maternal grandmother. Among the collection was a stunning vintage image of Gertrude in a bikini, reflecting her vibrant and youthful spirit. The tribute came full circle with a present-day picture where Alia was seen lovingly embracing her grandmother, though Gertrude's face was intentionally kept hidden.
In her touching caption, Soni Razdan shared an amusing anecdote about her mother’s youthful mindset, writing:
"When we reminded Mummy, she is 96 today her first reaction was ‘Oh, not very old, then!’ Happy Birthday gorgeous Mummy. May you continue to think young and live long (heart emojis)."
The family made sure to mark the special occasion with a heartfelt celebration. A beautifully decorated chocolate cake with the words “Happy 96th Birthday Mummy” was part of the festivities, adding a sweet touch to the day.
Alia Bhatt, known for her elegant yet understated style, looked radiant in a lavender chikankari kurta, exuding grace and simplicity. Her sister, Shaheen Bhatt, opted for a chic all-black outfit, complementing the warm and intimate vibe of the gathering.
The heartwarming celebration was a testament to the strong bond shared between the Bhatt-Razdan family. Fans were delighted to get a rare glimpse of Alia’s grandmother, as she is usually kept away from the public eye. The post quickly garnered love and admiration from netizens, who flooded the comments section with birthday wishes and heart emojis.
This isn’t the first time Alia Bhatt has shared glimpses of her close-knit family moments. The actress often speaks about the influence of the women in her life, especially her mother and sister. Despite her busy career, Alia makes it a point to prioritize family, as seen in her presence at this special celebration.
(Photo credit: @sonirazdan)
Alia has had a packed schedule with multiple professional commitments, including Bollywood projects and her ventures into Hollywood. However, moments like these highlight the importance she places on cherishing time with loved ones.
Fans have always appreciated the Bhatt family's authenticity and their candid sharing of personal moments. Soni Razdan’s tribute post not only celebrated Gertrude Hoelzer’s milestone birthday but also resonated with many, reminding everyone of the beauty of family bonds and cherished memories.
Katrina Kaif reacts to postpartum beauty comments, reveals her 'skin became sensitive' and 'feeling best matters more'
Katrina Kaif attends the green carpet at the NEXA IIFA Awards at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre on March 09, 2025 in Jaipur, India.
Katrina Kaif has spent much of her career being associated with beauty — from modeling and Bollywood films to red-carpet appearances and her makeup business. But motherhood has changed the way the actor looks at her appearance.
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kaif spoke about beauty standards, self-care and the changes she experienced after giving birth. Her comments come as paparazzi photographs and videos of the actor have drawn harsh reactions online, with some social media users comparing her postpartum appearance with how she looked earlier in her career.
Rather than focusing on returning to her old appearance, Kaif said her priorities have changed. For her, looking her best now starts with feeling her best.
Katrina Kaif reacts to changing beauty standards
Kaif recalled the pressure surrounding beauty when she began her modeling and acting career. She said there were many stereotypes about what women were expected to look like.
Today, she views beauty differently.
“Looking my best is really about feeling my best,” Kaif said, explaining that taking care of herself as a whole has become more important.
She linked that feeling to several aspects of her lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, managing inflammation, meditating and spending time away from her phone. She also mentioned getting natural light in the morning as part of her routine.
For Kaif, the connection between health and appearance is straightforward: when she feels healthy, she believes that confidence naturally shows on the outside.
Her comments come at a time when celebrity appearances continue to receive intense scrutiny online. Paparazzi posts featuring Kaif have attracted comments about her postpartum body and appearance, with some users comparing recent images with photographs from earlier stages of her career.
Her skin changed after giving birth
Kaif also opened up about a specific physical change she noticed after pregnancy.
According to the actor, her skin became significantly more sensitive after giving birth. That made it difficult for her to determine which products were actually working for her.
She is now focusing on what she describes as deep cellular hydration, strengthening her skin barrier and keeping her skin calm and resilient.
Dermatologist Dr. Shireen Furtado, senior consultant in medical and cosmetic dermatology at Aster CMI Hospital, explained that postpartum hormonal changes, stress, sleep disruption and dehydration can affect the skin in different ways.
Skin may become drier, more sensitive, oilier or more prone to pigmentation after childbirth. Because of those changes, she advised new mothers to focus on basic skin health instead of trying to immediately recreate their pre-pregnancy appearance.
Kaif’s postpartum approach is more about self-care
For Kaif, the shift appears to be bigger than skincare. Motherhood has changed the way she defines looking good.
Instead of chasing a particular appearance, she is emphasizing health, balance and understanding what her body and skin need at a particular stage.
Furtado similarly recommends keeping postpartum skincare simple, with a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen as a starting point. She also cautions against unnecessary products, harsh scrubs, strong exfoliants and irritating fragrances when skin is sensitive.
Some ingredients, including retinoids, require particular caution during breastfeeding and should be discussed with a dermatologist before use.
Kaif's comments offer a different perspective on the pressure faced by women after childbirth, particularly public figures whose appearances are constantly photographed and discussed.
Her message is less about looking the way she did before motherhood and more about feeling comfortable in the person she is now. For an actor whose appearance has been part of public conversation throughout her career, that represents a noticeable shift in how she approaches beauty.