Alia Bhatt’s Half-Brother Rahul Bhatt Admits To 7 Arrests, Says 26/11 Link ‘Destroyed’ His Image

Rahul Bhatt, Alia Bhatt’s half-brother, opens up about being linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, revealing he was arrested seven times but never convicted.

Mahesh Bhatt's son, Rahul Bhatt, became the center of controversy in 2009 after it was alleged that he had unknowingly befriended David Headley—one of the main accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

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Mahesh Bhatt's son, Rahul Bhatt, became the center of controversy in 2009 after it was alleged that he had unknowingly befriended David Headley—one of the main accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Since then, Rahul has largely remained away from the spotlight. However, in a new interview with Hindi Rush, he opened up about the long-lasting trauma and the damage to his public image.

Rahul described the entire episode as "the most devastating trauma" of his life. He revealed that while he never let his emotional struggle show outwardly, he was constantly battling inner turmoil.

“I was the one who suffered the most… my identity was butchered… my character was assassinated… for what, for nothing. I didn’t do anything… and if I had, I have enough courage to accept my crime and go to the gallows… I’m a man, I’d have taken it on the chin. But I didn’t do anything, and still, I was made to go through all of it. I remember everything to this day.”

Rahul admitted that he was arrested seven times, but was never convicted of any crime. He also shared that he still receives hate and abusive messages online, which deeply affects him.

“It hurts, when you’re called a traitor, when you have done nothing… It hurts… You start distrusting human beings.”

In an attempt to clear his name, Rahul even participated in Bigg Boss, stating, “I said let me go there and in a non-glamorous way, give my clarification.”

He clarified that investigative agencies never treated him as a suspect and that he was always considered a witness in the case. Rahul believes it was the media's selective outrage that caused irreversible damage to his reputation.

“Everything has been out. I was never the accused, I was always a witness from day one. Agar kuch hota hai toh main yahan baitha hota? It was a big case… they would have shut me if anything was true.”

He credits his survival to “the truth and the good karma of his mother,” but admits that the episode left him emotionally guarded and paranoid. Even years later, Rahul struggles with trust issues and forming new relationships due to the deep scars the incident left behind.